This is Andrea Wang’s and my fifth installment of our Asian Culture Series. Today, we are talking about Asians and sports. We are exploring our connections to sumo, Nissin Sports, and keeping girls in sports! And, as karma would have it, all of this points towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympics… We are also giving away…
Category: Asian American Children’s Books
Asian American books for kids including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, South Asian and more.
Sumo Joe Releases TODAY & Swag Giveaway!
I can’t believe that Sumo Joe is releasing today! It feels like I have been talking about Sumo Joe for years and now it’s finally real! Thank you to everyone who has supported me along this journey including authors who have kindly covered Sumo Joe on their blogs: Caroline Starr Rose: Classroom Connections: Sumo Joe…
Tempura and Chankonabe & SWAG Giveaway!
This is Andrea Wang’s and my fourth installment of our Asian Culture Series. Today, we are talking oodles of noodles! Asian Culture and KidLit series with Andrea Wang September 2018: Cover Reveal! Andrea’s MAGIC RAMEN: The Story of Momofuku Ando February 2019: Cover Reveal! Mia’s Sumo Joe April 2019: Sumo, Ramen Noodles & Chinese Connection June 2019: Tempura and Chankonabe (and how…
Sumo Joe Reviewed in Publishers Weekly!
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…
SUMO JOE got a Great Review from Kirkus!
My editor, Kandace Coston, gave me the good news! Sumo Joe received a really nice review from Kirkus Reviews. Here’s our review from Kirkus Reviews: SUMO JOE Author: Mia Wenjen Illustrator: Nat Iwata Review Issue Date: April 1, 2019Online Publish Date: March 17, 2019Publisher:Lee & Low Pages: 40 Price ( Hardcover ): $18.95 Publication Date: May 14, 2019ISBN ( Hardcover…
SUMO JOE Cover Reveal & GIVEAWAY!
Andrea Wang and I have an Asian Culture and KidLit series. Today, I am releasing the cover of my debut picture book, Sumo Joe, illustrated by debut picture book illustrator Nat Iwata. I want everyone to meet my awesome illustrator, Nat Iwata, so I have interviewed him below. Asian Culture and KidLit series with…
SUMO JOE Illustrator Nat Iwata
Did you know that picture book authors and illustrators do not communicate until the project is completed? I think it’s to give the illustrator some creative space to bring the words to life. No one likes to be micromanaged by someone else’s vision. My debut picture book, SUMO JOE, with illustrator Nat Iwata is not…






