Thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, blogged, and/or promoted Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! Here’s a round-up of coverage.
Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Kai Gietzen
Review by Barefoot Librarian, Eve Panzer
“The book cover sets the stage for a rollicking and raucous story about a topic parents of young children are all too familiar with – the battle over naptime and bedtime! The author’s witty and clever use of boxing terms throughout the book keeps the adult reader, as well as the audience of children, engaged and chuckling. The pictures perfectly mirror the book’s humorous tenor, filling in details to help the reader have more insight into the main character and understand the nuances of the plot.
The book’s narration reads like the script for an announcer at a boxing match from line one. “Welcome, fans! First to weigh in today is Boxer Baby, the undisputed champion of avoid naps!” The text is accompanied by an illustration depicting a toddler girl defiantly standing astride the pediatrician’s scale. The stage – or boxing arena is set.
With Dad in the blue corner sitting on the couch and Boxer Baby in the red corner, wildly riding her rocking horse, Mom leaves with the parting words, “Make sure she naps!” Dad realizes it is up to him to “…get Boxer Baby down for the count!” Just as Dad catches Boxer Baby, he encounters “…a foul below the belt,” a diaper so full of poo that a bath is required. Boxer Baby bobs and weaves in the tub, but Dad finally wraps her up with a blanket and heads to the
nursery. “Boxer Baby is no lightweight when it comes to battling sleep.” But Dad is prepared with a combination of moves – a blanket, a stuffed animal, and a pacifier. When Boxer Baby yawns, Dad feels triumphant. But will Dad become the winner of the match? You will have to read this entertaining and zany book to find out.
It is evident that the author has competed in many rounds fighting to get a child to bed, as well as being knowledgeable about the sport of boxing. The book masterfully weaves text and illustrations to magically transport the reader into a boxing arena. The illustrations have a humorous, whimsical, cartoon-like feel that totally matches the book’ tone. The book ends with a glossary of the boxing terms used in the book. When you pick up this book, prepare for a roisterous romp to naptime.”
Imagination Soup: 18 Must-Read New Picture Books, June 2024
“A cheeky announcer narrates the events of Boxer Baby with the big question everyone is asking — will Baby take a nap? After a chase, a poo, a bath, it is time. Will the blanket and pacifier make her nap? She’s not ready to give up yet…With boxing metaphors galore, this is a hilarious and relatable story where Baby prevails!”
EugeniaChuAuthor Instagram Reel
“Adorable and hilarious picture book about a baby who won’t nap! As parents, we’ve all been there, right? But this baby is special – this baby is the undisputed champion of avoiding naps! The story is written in the voice of a boxing match announcer – so novel and fun!
Dad is tasked with getting baby down for a nap. Will he be able to do it? See and laugh at all of baby’s moves and learn lots of boxing terms along the way. Does baby “foul below the belt?” Yep – it’s a . . . “colossal poo!” Hahaha! I’ve definitely been there! So many funny (and relatable) situations! Does baby win by TKO? Dad does not give up and launches a flurry of combinations. Who wins? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Love that this book also includes a glossary of boxing terms. Fun book for littles as well as parents, care givers, and teachers – especially for those who box or are boxing fans! Will leave you and your kiddos giggling!
Congrats, Mia, on another wonderful book! If you don’t already know Mia, follow her at @pragmaticmom and check out her books and blog!”
#newrelease #childrensbook #boxing #newlaunch #booklaunch
Children’s Books Heal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! by Mia Wenjen – Perfect Picture Book Friday
“Mia Wenjen’s Boxer Baby is entertaining and weaves clever boxing wordplay into the story. Just when Dad thinks he has Boxer Baby cornered, there is a “foul below the belt – a colossal poo” – that requires a bath. Round two begins with another battle and win. Kids will laugh out loud as they beg to have Boxer Baby read again and again. Kai Gietzen’s illustrations are priceless. They are noisy, active and colorful!
Make sure you check out the Author’s Note at the end of the story. Wenjen explains that she was inspired by the Filipino-American boxer Nonito Donaire, and female boxers Leila Ali, and Clarissa Shield, And there is a Glossary that explains the boxing language throughout the story with the idiom for each one used. For example — total knock out (TKO), throw in the towel, down but not out, keep your guard up, roll with the punches; and heavy hitter — expressions we may use but don’t recognize the boxing origin.”
All Done Monkey: Father’s Day Books for Children
“I have already reviewed this wonderful book as part of my recent AAPI Heritage Month booklist, but I wanted to include it again here to highlight how refreshing it is to see a hands on stay-at-home dad at the center of a bedtime story, especially an Asian American dad. Throughout his “battle” with Boxer Baby, this dad handles the little one’s energy and defiance with love and creativity, until finally Baby is ready to sleep. A fun tribute to dads everywhere.”
Growing Book By Book: Books for Kids by Asian American and Pacific Islander Authors and Illustrators
“Naptime can sometimes feel like you’ve entered the boxing ring and that’s just what plays out in Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! by Mia Wenjen. It’s Daddy vs Baby. How will win the match?”
Making Nature Fun (Maria Marshall): The Picture Book Buzz – Interview w/Mia Wenjen and Review of Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!
“A nearly universal struggle occurs almost daily between caregivers and babies/toddlers. While adults need the time to recharge or get chores done, babies/toddlers don’t want to miss anything, be left out, or admit they are tired. Setting this contest of wills in the arena of boxing makes for a humorous exploration of some common idioms (like throw in the towel or lightweight) and a fast-paced book sure to enthrall youngsters as they wait to see who wins the bedtime battle – Dad or Baby.”
Crafty Moms Share: New Picture Books About Dad and Bedtime
“This is such a fun book and an original idea. Boxer Baby battles bedtime–and what baby doesn’t? This book shares boxing lingo that every adult will recognize and for the kids who might not, there is a glossary. As a mom, I love this book because there are times when you truly feel like your baby is a boxer fighting sleep. The lingo makes it even more fun. I also love that it is Dad who is battling Boxer Baby. It came out just in time for Father’s Day gifts.
The book will entertain adults reading it as well as older kids. The boxing lingo adds a bit of humor to a sometimes very stressful situation. This book is so fun and will help the adults struggling to get a young one to sleep to find a bit of humor in it. I can see this becoming a favorite bedtime story for both kids and adults. So come into the boxing ring check out the corners and stay for a few rounds. Be sure to watch out for the below-the-belt fouls. I know I’m giving my copy to a soon-to-be father who will definitely enjoy this book!!”
Live Your Poem (Irene Latham): Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! by Mia Wenjen
“Today I’m happy to welcome Mia Wenjen, aka PragmaticMom to the blog! You may know Mia as the woman behind the annual Read Your World Day celebration, which showcases multicultural books for kids.
She’s got a new book called Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime, illustrated by Kai Gietzen (Eifrig Publishing, May 26, 2024) that came about as a result of a Kickstarter campaign. (Mia makes things happen!) Paperback copies available here.
BOXER BABY is Mia’s ode to boxing, stay-at-home dads, toddlers who hate napping, and figurative language. It features MANY well-known idioms that have boxing origins! Talk about a poet’s playground! The book trailer is here.
Welcome, Mia!
DIFFICULT:
MW: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! is my ode to stay-at-home dads like my husband who stayed home for two years with our oldest, now 24 years old! He agrees that taking care of children is the hardest job you’ll ever love. However when we had our second child, he threw in the towel and went back to work, and I stayed home!
FRESH:
MW: Boxer Baby will do anything to resist naptime, bobbing and weaving to escape from Dad. She’s no lightweight and she never seems to get tired!
DELICIOUS:
MW: Our treat for readers is the “Easter Egg” we planted in the hallway: Leila Ali, Clarissa Shields, and the great Katie Taylor. I spill the beans in my author’s note.
ANYTHING ELSE:
MW: Illustrator Kai Geizen is a recent graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and my daughter’s good friend from when they both took a January session illustration class on the Big Island of Hawaii to draw endangered plants. Going to Hawaii to learn about sustainability in January instead of staying in Providence? That is a one-two combination that I can get behind!”
Mel Schuit: Let’s Talk Picture Books Crushes Of the Week
KidLit411: THE WEEKLY 411 (6/7/24)
Thanks, KIDLIT411 for hosting my Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! giveaway!
“About the Book: Mom is counting on Dad to get Boxer Baby down for her nap, but Boxer Baby is the G.O.A.T. of sleep avoidance. This hilarious face-off mimics a three-round boxing match, as Boxer Baby is no lightweight when it comes to staying awake.
Dad has a few tricks up his sleeve, but will it be enough in this epic battle against nap time? Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! uses figurative language to show how many common idioms have boxing origins.
About the Author: Mia Wenjen blogs at PragmaticMom.com. She is also the co-creator and president of nonprofit, Read Your World. Her newest picture book is and Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (Eifrig Publishing). Her debut picture book, Sumo Joe (Lee and Low, 2019) was selected as a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year. Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World (Barefoot Books, 2023) is a Junior Library Guild selection, received a starred review from School Library Journal, and made Chicago Library Best of the Best list. We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court (Red Comet Press) releases on October 15, 2024. Follow her @pragmaticmom on social media.
About the Illustrator: Kai Gietzen is an award-winning artist and illustrator based in Providence, Rhode Island. Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! is his debut children’s book since graduating from Rhode Island School of Design in 2022 and provided a wide range of emotions to illustrate, from action-packed face-offs to tender moments between family. To learn more, check out his website kaigietzen.com, and Instagram @kaigietzen.”
Good Reads With Ronna: Our Fave New Children’s Books We Love for Father’s Day
“This baby is not going down easily and puts up an impressive fight (a kid-friendly boxing match that is) to avoid taking a nap in this adorable picture book. Wenjen’s created a relatable tale with a twist ending that will delight children and parents alike.
Inspired by her own experience boxing, the author cleverly infuses the sport’s popular terminology to tell this funny story conveyed in three rounds. Readers can find the spot-on idioms in a glossary in the back matter along with Wenjen’s author note.
I didn’t notice the pup carrying the round cards until halfway through my first read and appreciated how the story is broken down that way. I don’t want to give away too much by saying what each round consisted of, but suffice it to say, Boxer Baby gives it her all and then some! She is determined to be the last baby standing which means Dad will face a challenging nap time.
The artwork by debut picture book illustrator, Gietzen, brings energy to the story and contrasts the child’s raging emotions against those of her calm and accommodating father. While there’s no referee, there’s the humorous voice of the narrator describing the battle that Boxer Baby undertakes when her mom goes out. This homage to the endurance of the stay-at-home dad reminds me of my husband. While he held down a job, he always remained a hands-on father at home, never shirking his parenting responsibilities just like Boxer Baby’s father. I admire this exhausted dad’s fortitude. So who do you think will be the winner?”
Mel Schuit (LinkedIn): Let’s Talk Picture Books Crushes Of the Week
Debbie Ridpath Ohi: Book Peek: BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME! by Mia Wenjen & Kai Gietzen
Inky Elbows on Instagram (Debbie Ridpath Ohi)
Book peek at BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME, written by @pragmaticmom & illustrated by Kai Gietzen, out NOW from Eifrig Publishing. A fun face-off between a dad and a baby at bedtime described as a boxing match. This would make a great read-aloud at bedtime, and may possibly even inspire young readers to try out boxing themselves! Informative glossary and Author’s Note at the back; Mia explained that the father in the book was inspired by a real-life Filipino-American boxer.
Synopsis:
“Mom is counting on Dad to get Boxer Baby down for her nap, but Boxer Baby is the G.O.A.T. of sleep avoidance. This hilarious face-off mimics a three-round boxing match, as Boxer Baby is no lightweight when it comes to staying awake.
Dad has a few tricks up his sleeve, but will it be enough in this epic battle against nap time?
This entertaining book also provides an excellent tool to introduce figurative language and idioms to kids at home and in school. Great for pre-K to 6th grade (even older kids can enjoy a trip back to picture book days as they learn about idioms).”
#picturebook #bookstagram #boxingbook #boxingforkids
Debbie Ridpath Ohi on Bluesky
“I just posted a video Book Peek at BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME, picture book written by
@pragmaticmom.bsky.social
& illus by Kai Gietzen, now out from Eifrig Publishing: youtu.be/J3QxYbqT6Js…
“Dad has a few tricks up his sleeve, but will it be enough in this epic battle against nap time?”<
Facebook Post Boxer Baby Review
Jena Benton: Simply 7 with Mia Wenjen: BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME
“Dear readers, this book was just released this week! If you haven’t had a chance yet to check it out, I highly recommend it. It’s a funny take on babies fighting sleep that is incredibly memorable and a fun way to try and put the littles to bed.” More here.
Discovering Español
Imagination Soup gave away a copy on Ig
“A cheeky announcer narrates the events of Boxer Baby with the big question everyone is asking — will Baby take a nap?💤
After a chase, a poo, a bath, it is time. Or is it?
Maybe the blanket and pacifier will make her nap?
Oh, no, she’s not ready to give up yet…
With boxing metaphors galore, this is a hilarious and relatable story where Baby prevails!
If you like funny books, you will love BOXER BABY written by Mia Wenjen @pragmaticmom , illustrated by @kaigietzen, and published by @eifrigpublishing.:”
Erin Dealey: Happy (almost) #BookBirthday = 9 Qs with Mia Wenjen + BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME + Bonus AAPI resources!
Hooray! It’s an Asian AAPI Heritage month blog post with Mia Wenjen featuring Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime, coming next week, May 26th, 2024 (Illus. Kai Gietzen /Eifrig Publishing)
We last chatted with the very busy Mia Wenjen –(aka pragmaticmom) last November about her book: FOOD FOR THE FUTURE: Sustainable Farms Around the World
And now she’s back with a unique take on bedtime battles, using actual boxing terminology. More here.
Picture Book Builders: BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME! Interview with Mia Wenjen + giveaway x3!
“BOXER BABY BATTLES BEDTIME! is a new picture book from author Mia Wenjen and illustrator Kai Geitzen. The flap copy reads, “Mom is counting on Dad to get Boxer Baby down for her nap, but Boxer Baby is the G.O.A.T. of sleep avoidance. This hilarious face-off mimics a three round boxing match, as Boxer Baby is no lightweight when it comes to staying awake. Dad has a few tricks up his sleeve, but will it be enough in this epic battle against naptime?” Mia has written numerous books in a variety of genres and formats, and I thought the story behind the publication of BOXER BABY would be interesting for our blog readers. So, joining me today is Mia, who runs an incredibly popular blog of her own called Pragmatic Mom.” More here.
Readers’ Favorite: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!
“Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! by Mia Wenjen is a fun children’s story. It’s time for Boxer Baby’s nap, and it’s down to Dad to get her to sleep. But Boxer Baby is famous for refusing to take a nap. The battle is on as Dad and Boxer face off and circle each other in a bid to win the battle. But just when Dad thinks he’s won, Boxer Baby is back on her feet and ready for round three. Will Dad succeed in getting Boxer Baby to take a nap, or will they have to go for a rematch?
Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! by Mia Wenjen is a hilarious children’s story written in the style of a three-round boxing match. The illustrations by Kai Gietzen are wonderfully colorful and help kids picture the story as it unfolds, and they are just as funny as the story. There are plenty of boxing references scattered throughout and a helpful glossary at the end so everyone understands what these mean. It’s surprising how many phrases we use every day that come from boxing. The characters are fun, and I’m sure lots of parents and kids will see themselves in this story. However, rather than a bedtime story to help your kids fall asleep, this is more likely to have them giggling with delight and wide awake. But will Dad win and get Boxer Baby to sleep? The only way to find out is to read the book. I would recommend this book to all kids who love a great story and their parents who know the all-too-real battle of getting their kids to take a nap.”
Caroline Starr Rose: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! by Mia Wenjen
What was the spark that started this story?
I have been training as a boxer fighter with Marc Gargaro of Nonanam Boxing Club for twelve years. He was one of the boxer trainers for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Boxing Team that competed at the Tokyo Olympics. I wanted to write a boxing picture book for a very long time but had trouble figuring out a way to make it appealing to young children. It all came together when I thought of my husband who stayed home to take care of our oldest when she was born and then added in boxing idioms in a 3 round fight to get her to take a nap. He would drive her in the car in an hour loop to get her to nap on some days!
How did boxing figure in?
When I first wrote the manuscript, I had just three rounds of action trying to get Boxer Baby to take a nap and that turned out to be too short. I added spreads by extending the fight lead-up, from the weigh-in to the entrance, and ending with a rematch! As a fight fan, I love to support the fighters at my boxing gym by going to their fights.
What was the hardest part of the writing process? What was the easiest?
For me, it’s all about finding the story’s structure. In this case, it’s using boxing idioms, and three rounds of a boxing match to lay out the story. Once I have that nailed down, it’s easier for me to write the story.
For another picture book that is coming out in a few years, I struggled for years to write about the Japanese Internment and a modern version of that from two perspectives. When I stumbled on the reverso poem format, I was finally able to make it work.
You’ve written several picture books before Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! Do you have any advice for aspiring authors wanting to write picture books?
When I talk to other authors, we discover that we each have a personal set of themes that is a throughline for all our books, even if we don’t realize it. It’s so hard to get picture books published, and the road is so full of rejections that it helps to have a strong conviction that “this story needs to be told.” Sometimes, it’s that final total rewrite 5, 10, or even 15 years later that gets published. My other advice is that it’s easier to get a book published than it is to get it to earn out. All authors are a brand of one, so build your social media and personal networks as early as possible. And that might be as simple as joining a few local writing groups and attending KidLit author events in your area.
What’s next for you?
I have seven picture books coming out after Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! Six are with Red Comet Press but not all of them have been announced yet. We Sing From the Heart: How The Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court! is illustrated by Victor Bizar Gómez and comes out in November of 2024. Fortune Cookies for Everyone, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage, comes out Fall of 2025. Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown, comes out Fall of 2026.
***
Mia Wenjen blogs at PragmaticMom.com. She is also the co-creator and president of nonprofit, Read Your World. Her debut picture book, Sumo Joe (Lee and Low, 2019) was selected as a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year. Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World ( Barefoot Books, 2023) is a Junior Library Guild selection and received a starred review from School Library Journal. We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court (Red Comet Press) and Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime (Eifrig Publishing) release in 2024. Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes was a Kickstarter project recently released by Scholastic. Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist (Red Comet Press) releases in 2025. Follow her @pragmaticmom on social media.
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
