Books written by me, Mia Wenjen.
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…
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…
We are thrilled to announce that How To Coach Girls won a Silver Award in the 31st Annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™ ! The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards™, which include over fifty categories recognizing excellence in book editorial and design, are regarded as one of the highest national honors for independent publishers. The Independent Book Publishers Association…
As a mom, dedicated kidlit reader, author, and co-founder of the non-profit Multicultural Children’s Book Day, I’ve been on a decade-long journey to discover the best diversity books in children’s literature. With a determination to change the world, one book at a time, I created BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages…
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…
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…
I spoke at The Writers’ Loft on my background as an entrepreneur co-founding Aquent, a staffing company specializing in placing temporary employees in marketing and creative industries. In many ways, an entrepreneur and an author are similar. Both are trying to bring an idea to market. With this in mind, I tell the story of…