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Rose Wenjen 6 Month Anniversary Sumo Joe & GIVEAWAY!

Sumo Joe’s 6 Month Anniversary and How I Celebrated

Posted on January 10, 2020April 10, 2024 by Pragmatic Mom

I’m grateful that my mother was able to read my debut picture book. My mother was always supportive of everything we did and when my sister and I started writing and publishing books, she would make a point of purchasing five copies.

cover for Sumo Joe

At the time, she was living in an Independent Living facility so she really didn’t have the means to distribute the four copies of the books that were in duplicate. It was just her way to help us with our book sales. That’s my mom in a nutshell.

Rose Wenjen 6 Month Anniversary Sumo Joe & GIVEAWAY!

 

My mom passed away in September 2019 and in honor of her, I am giving away six copies of Sumo Joe for its six-month anniversary. Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. I can only mail to U.S. addresses.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

p.s. My parents used to take us to the public library every single week. It was only at the 50% off book fair at Cal State University Long Beach that my father taught me that they would ever buy books. There used to be rows of tables with boxes of books at these book clearance events, and I would spend time searching for children’s books. I never found a book with Japanese characters, though, in my public library or at that book sale.

My mom would be happy to know that things have changed.

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36 thoughts on “Sumo Joe’s 6 Month Anniversary and How I Celebrated”

  1. Maria Gianferrari says:
    January 10, 2020 at 10:53 am

    Your sweet mother! What a lovely photo! I’m sure that she was very proud of you!

    Wishing you a happy half year book birthday!

    Reply
  2. Debra Branigan says:
    January 10, 2020 at 1:11 pm

    Off the top of my head, I have no answer for such a specific comment. I have read a lot of literature that celebrates Asian cultures, and I hope to continue to share that with my grandchildren. You have some great literature listed here such as Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. My heartfelt condolences for you and your family.

    Reply
  3. Barbara Ann Mojica (@bamauthor) says:
    January 10, 2020 at 3:08 pm

    Bless your mom! I already have a copy., but I want to encourage others to enter for a chance to read it!

    Reply
  4. Beth Talmage says:
    January 11, 2020 at 4:11 am

    I don’t have a favorite, but I hope to change that. Thank you for sharing stories and memories of your mother. I’m really touched by them, and I know I’m not the only one. My eyes stung with tears when I read the student feedback from your recent guest teaching stint at UMass Boston and the student wrote that she was grateful for your mother’s strength. What a lovely tribute to her, and such a clear indication that you are telling your mother’s story in its full dimensions: she is not a “cute Asian lady”, or simply your sweet mother, she is a strong woman who survived many things and went on, building a life and legacy.

    Reply
  5. Danielle Hammelef says:
    January 11, 2020 at 9:07 am

    Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune was a recent book I read featuring an Asian woman who wanted to open a restaurant featuring her mom’s Asian recipes.

    Reply
  6. Annie Lynn says:
    January 11, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    I am so glad your Mom got to see and read this book. I know she was very proud of you and your sister. She sounds very kind. Please enter my name in the rafflecopter drawing.

    Reply
    1. Malv says:
      February 10, 2020 at 6:04 am

      I have nieces and nephews  that would enjoy reading the fabulous and fun Round is a Moon Cake by Roseanne Thong, illustrated by Grace Lin, many times.

      Reply
  7. Leslie Nakagawa says:
    January 11, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    A new book that I found: “Thank You Very Mochi.” Oh great, now I want some mochi….

    Reply
  8. Tracy Mitchell says:
    January 12, 2020 at 6:49 am

    How precious! What a wonderful way to commemorate your mother. I love it!

    Reply
  9. Christina L says:
    January 13, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    Round is a Mooncake is a favorite.

    Reply
  10. Lisa Maucione says:
    January 16, 2020 at 7:59 am

    I look forward to reading your book. I enjoy Grace Lin’s books, Dim Sum for Everyone! and A Big Mooncake for Little Star and share them both with students.

    Reply
  11. beth says:
    January 17, 2020 at 9:53 am

    I think I would have to go with The Joy Luck Club, which I know is cliched, but food forms such a big part of it.

    Reply
  12. Ken Ohl says:
    February 4, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    Round is a Mooncake is my choice

    Reply
  13. Connie Sullivan says:
    February 4, 2020 at 6:03 pm

    No favorites but love the book.

    Reply
  14. Brenda K Boone says:
    February 5, 2020 at 2:18 pm

    such a tribute to your lovely mom

    Reply
  15. Ed says:
    February 8, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    “The Fortune Cookie Chronicles”; so sorry on your Mother’s passing.

    Reply
  16. Phyllis Skoglund says:
    February 8, 2020 at 11:20 pm

    The Japanese culture is rich in folklore.

    Reply
  17. KIM MINARD says:
    February 9, 2020 at 9:50 am

    So sorry for the loss of your mother. No favorite book.

    Reply
  18. Jodie Erickson says:
    February 9, 2020 at 11:46 am

    I recently read Bila Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed and will be adding it to my collection. Thank you for sharing your very sweet story. Family ❤️

    Reply
  19. Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez says:
    February 9, 2020 at 11:47 am

    Your mom sounds amazing and so supportive. I’m so sorry for your loss; I bet she’d be happy to see your brilliant book going to so many people. What a great day to honor her❤️

    Reply
  20. Nadya says:
    February 9, 2020 at 1:57 pm

    Such a special memory of your mom ♥️ Mochi Queen by Debbi Michiko Florence. A story about a strong young girl and when it’s okay to break tradition.

    Reply
  21. Joana Pastro says:
    February 9, 2020 at 2:18 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Mia. So many great titles. I want to read them all!

    Reply
  22. Jessica Rickman says:
    February 9, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    My kids got a copy of Hot Hot Roti from school and absolutely love it, its a lot of fun!

    Reply
  23. Shauntrell Leaks says:
    February 9, 2020 at 6:31 pm

    We just read My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz. Food was not featured but it was mentioned 😊.

    Reply
  24. AEKZ2 says:
    February 9, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    My favorite is Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories: Anniversary Edition

    Reply
  25. Maya Norton says:
    February 9, 2020 at 9:16 pm

    Beautiful mother. I am glad I found your blog as I am an “excessive,” as you said, or as I say, “obsessive” reader of children’s books, especially those with multicultural characters and themes.

    Are you on GoodReads by any chance? Would happily connect.

    Blessings to your family.

    ~ Maya

    Reply
  26. Philip Lawrence says:
    February 9, 2020 at 10:08 pm

    My favorite Asian American book regarding food is “The Joy Luck Club”.

    Reply
  27. NANCY says:
    February 9, 2020 at 11:28 pm

    Looks like a great book. I am sorry about your mom. I lost mine in December. 🙁

    Reply
  28. Maya Norton says:
    February 9, 2020 at 11:46 pm

    I think I was supposed to mention a favorite book. My children and I read “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” tonight. My oldest said, ” I didn’t ‘like’ it but it felt important and something I should know about.”

    I am counting this as Asian American as the story was from Japan and its author was North American.

    George Takei’s graphic novel about internment would be another history that fits the category and my child’s sentiment.

    Reply
  29. Rob says:
    February 10, 2020 at 5:40 am

    My grandchildren would absolutely like to read the cool and interesting Jo Jo Eats Dim Sum by James Kye, always.

    Reply
  30. Milt says:
    February 10, 2020 at 5:48 am

    I have grandchildren that would definitely like to read the amazing and delightful Halmoni and the Picnic by Sook Nyul Choi, all of the time.

    Reply
  31. Paulet says:
    February 10, 2020 at 5:55 am

    The wonderful and nice Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin, my grandchildren would always like to read, for lots of fun.

    Reply
  32. Marc says:
    February 10, 2020 at 5:57 am

    My  nieces and nephews would really enjoy reading the marvelous and colorful Hot, Hot Roti for Daja-Ji by F. Zia, illustrated by Ken Min, for a great time.

    Reply
  33. Aaron says:
    February 10, 2020 at 6:07 am

    My many children just love to read the awesome and neat Henry’s First-Moon Birthday by Lenore Look, for a fun time.

    Reply
  34. Aaron says:
    February 10, 2020 at 6:11 am

    My many children just love to read the awesome and neat Henry’s First-Moon Birthday by Lenore Look, for a fun time..

    Reply
  35. Malv says:
    February 10, 2020 at 6:16 am

    I have nieces and nephews  that would enjoy reading the fabulous and fun Round is a Moon Cake by Roseanne Thong, illustrated by Grace Lin, many times..

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

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