Sumo Boyby Hirotaka Nakagawa
Publishers Weekly
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What child hasn't wished he were a superhero at one time or another? Young readers can have the experience vicariously through the titular fellow, who can transform himself into a modern-day Superman: "I am Sumo Boy. I fight for justice." Nakagawa's (the Chocolat series) story follows a routine plot line: the hero swoops in to save a defenseless girl and accomplishes a job well done. As with any growing boy, his day ends with a nourishing meal that gives him the sustenance he needs. But Japanese words and wrestling terminology, plus the tightly constructed urban backdrop, set this book apart. Larger-than-life watercolor images of Sumo Boy lend credence to such adages as "size matters" and "bigger is better." In fact, Hasegawa's (Otama's Rice Porridge) illustrations use practically every inch of space on the pages. His precise yet rapid brushstrokes aptly mirror Sumo Boy's wrestling moves. But because the story follows a rather familiar trajectory, readers will be able to keep pace. Wrestling aficionados are treated to four pages' worth of illustrated moves and accompanying descriptions, as well as a brief glossary of Japanese vocabulary. Ages 2-5. (Apr.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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School Library Journal
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PreS-Gr 2–There's a new superhero on the block. Sumo Boy works out in a dojo and can hear a little girl's call for help from miles away. With the battle cry “DOSUKOI!,” he flies through the air, and, with an open-hand push, inside leg trip, and overarm throw, he defeats his foe. With justice done, he flies back to the dojo with the distressed damsel in his arms for some “Mmm, good,” sumo hot pot. Humorous, burlesque, yet respectful of the art of sumo wrestling, this valiant tale is a delight. The illustrations are bold, childlike, busy, and comical. The artist uses broad brushstrokes, lots of black accents, and a plethora of dramatic colors to illustrate the story. While the tale is suitable for preschoolers, it can be used with Marc Tauss's Superhero (Scholastic) and Mini Grey's Traction Man Is Here (Knopf, both 2005) for a rollicking primary grade storytime.–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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