Sumo Boy

Sprinkled with true Japanese customs of sumo wrestling, this appealing and bold picture book is just right for little boys. Full color.

"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." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)