Sumo Joe is my pick for Multicultural Children’s Book Day. 2024 Multicultural Children’s Book Day celebrates its 11th year on 1/25/24. Because “MCBD” is one of our favorite events, we are excited to participate for the 6th year in a row.

This year I am thrilled to review Sumo Joe written by Mia Wenjen and Illustrated by Nat Iwata. Read on to enjoy the review as well as some terrific, FREE MCBD resources.

Sumo Joe Synopsis:

Sumo Joe and his friends enjoy pretending to be sumo wrestlers. But when his little sister wants to join their boy-only game, what should Sumo Joe do?
On Saturday mornings, Sumo Joe is a gentle big brother to his little sister. But on Saturday afternoons, he and his friends are sumo wrestlers! They tie on makeshift mawashi belts, practice drills like teppo, and compete in their homemade dohyo ring. They even observe sumo’s ultimate rule: no girls allowed! But when Sumo Joe’s little sister wants to join in the fun, Sumo Joe is torn between the two things he’s best at: sumo, and being a big brother.
Fists, feet, and martial art forms collide in this sweet yet spirited rhyming story by author Mia Wenjen and illustrator Nat Iwata.

Sumo Joe Spoiler Free Review:

Sumo Joe is a delightful book that combines cultural exploration with a heartwarming story of sibling dynamics. Wenjen skillfully weaves in themes of friendship, self acceptance and equality while using the world of Sumo wrestling as an entertaining backdrop. Kudos to Wenjem for showing us in simple terms that girls are equal to boys. Kudos to highlighting a loving brother and sister relationship even after some sibling rivalry comes into play.

Sumo Joe includes a fantastic glossary of Sumo terms at the end. Viibrant illustrations  not only adorn each page but also cheerfully cover the glossary section. The fast paced narrative and interesting story is an enjoyable read for young readers.

About Multicultural Children’s Book Day:

This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen. These diverse book-loving moms saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors. They also work tirelessly to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.

Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves. You can read about the Mission HERE.

Read Your World celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day and is honored to be Supported by these Medallion and Ruby Sponsors!

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)

Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media

Platinum Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight, Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 50+ Languages, Lerner Publishing Group

Gold Sponsors:  Barefoot Books, Astra Books for Young Readers

Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, Lee and Low Books, Cardinal Rule Press

Bronze Sponsors: CK Malone, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Anita Crawford Clark, Star Bright Books, Blue Dot Kids Press, Brunella Costagliola, Red Fin, Fabled Films 

Ruby Sponsor: Crayola 

MCBD 2024 is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!

Authors: 

Gwen Jackson, Josh Funk, Eugenia Chu, Sivan Hong, Marta Magellan, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Angela H. Dale, Maritza M Mejia, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Charnaie Gordon,  Alva Sachs, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Lisa Chong, Diana Huang, Martha Seif Simpson, DARIA (WORLD MUSIC WITH DARIA) Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou, Gea Meijering, Stephanie M. Wildman, Tracey Kyle, Afsaneh Moradian, Kim C. Lee, Rochelle Melander, Beth Ruffin, Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Alina Chau, Michael Genhart, Sally J. Pla, Ajuan Mance, Kimberly Marcus, Lindsey Rowe Parker

MCBD 2024 is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts!

MCBD 2023 is Honored to be Supported by our Partner Organizations! 

Check out MCBD’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!

📌 FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day

• MCBD 2024 Poster
• Mental Health Support for Stressful Times Classroom Kit
• Diversity Book Lists & Activities for Teachers and Parents
• Homeschool Diverse Kidlit Booklist & Activity Kit
• FREE Teacher Classroom Activism and Activists Kit
• FREE Teacher Classroom Empathy Kit
• FREE Teacher Classroom Kindness Kit
• FREE Teacher Classroom Physical and Developmental Challenges Kit
• FREE Teacher Classroom Poverty Kit
• Gallery of Our Free Posters
• FREE Diversity Book for Classrooms Program

📌 Register for the MCBD Read Your World Virtual Party

Join us on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 9 pm EST art the Multicultural Children’s Book Day Read Your World Virtual Party! Register here.  We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle along with Bonus Prizes as well! * US and Global participants welcome. *This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas. Follow  #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all!

You can also check out MCBD’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board.

Read our past MCBD reviews here: >2019 >2020, >2021 >2022>2023