Sumo Joe was reviewed in Publishers Weekly!
Sumo Joe
Mia Wenjen, illus. by Nat Iwata. Lee & Low, $18.95 (40p) ISBN 978-1-62014-802-0
A sister eagerly wakes her big yet gentle older brother, “Sumo Joe.” As the girl leaves, Joe welcomes two friends to “practice sumo!” in “the ring” (pillows in a circle), each wrapped in a mawashi. Wenjen describes their sumo moves in straightforward rhymes: “Hands on knees,/ leg raised slow,/ practice shiko.” When the sister arrives home, she “wants to join/ boy-only place./ She’s not allowed/ in sacred space.” Joe hesitates (readers may bristle), but his sister breaks out her aikido skills: “Aikido Jo beats Sumo Joe!” Newcomers Wenjen and Iwata—who illustrates in a playfully expressive style—offer an affectionate story about good-natured sibling rivalry and refusing to be underestimated. Back matter includes an author’s note and an illustrated glossary relating to sumo and aikido. Ages 5–6. (May)
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Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
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- Starred review from School Library Journal
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Well done!
Congrats Mia!
💙-y congrats to you, Mia! That’s wonderful!
Wonderful review – congrats!
Congratulations Mia. This must feel great. Will make sure to order at Library, they usually take our requests if they haven’t ordered yet. Looks great, with strong female character too!✌🏼💁🏼🎶🎨📚😊