Sumo Counting

by Sanae Ishida

Overview

Perfect for early learning, this fun board book in the Little Sumo series, from the creator of the Little Kunoichi series, features sumo wrestlers that introduce children to counting and shares elements of Japanese culture that will enrich readers of all ages.

Take a peek into the lives of sumo wrestlers in this adorable counting book! Simple, charming scenes within the sumo stable let young readers practice numbers from one to ten, fifty, and one hundred, while they learn how sumo wrestlers do chores, practice, sleep, bathe, and eat together. Each page features a Japanese word related to sumo culture, as well as the number in English and Japanese.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781632173126
Publisher:	Blue Star Press
Publication date:	09/07/2021
Series:	Little Sumo
Pages:	22
Product dimensions:	6.47(w) x 6.49(h) x 0.57(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 3 Years

About the Author

SANAE ISHIDA writes, sews, draws, and takes photos almost every day. She lives with her husband and daughter in Seattle. She is the author of the sewing books Sewing Love, Sewing Happiness, and Animal Friends to Sew, as well as the Little Kunoichi the Ninja Girl picture book series, and Little Sumo, a board book series. Both she and her daughter have too many handmade clothes. Find out more about her work at SanaeIshida.com.

Read an Excerpt

1
いち 
Ichi
One little sumo wrestler full of yokozuna dreams

2
に
Ni
Two little sumo wrestlers bouting in a dohyo ring

3
さん 
San
Three little sumo wrestlers wear mawashis to cheer their teams

Editorial Reviews

"Roly-poly mini-wrestlers going about their day make for a sweet introduction to Japanese culture and language."—School Library Journal


"Textured illustrations of charming young Japanese sumo wrestlers are the highlight of this appealing board book… communicate(s) a remarkable amount about Japanese sumo culture in these colorful vignette"—Kirkus Reviews

"I love how Japanese words, including sumo terms, are woven into the story of this cute counting board book."—Pragmatic Mom

"the illustrations are beyond cute"—Tiny Beans

"I’m a Japanese speaker and enjoyed the presentation of sumo culture in these creatively illustrated and thoughtfully written board books by Sanae Ishida. I even learned a few new words!"—The International Examiner

From the Publisher

10/01/2021

PreS-K—Young Japanese language-learners will be charmed as they pick up vocabulary with a bunch of little sumo wrestlers. Sumo Opposites presents pairs of words on facing pages ("Up/Down," "Awake/Asleep," "Cold/Hot") along with the Japanese character for each and its transliteration. More substantive is the counting book, which covers numbers one to 10, 50, and 100 and highlights vocabulary related to sumo wrestlers and their training. VERDICT Roly-poly mini-wrestlers going about their day make for a sweet introduction to Japanese culture and language.

School Library Journal

2021-10-27
Count along with aspiring sumo wrestlers.

Textured illustrations of charming young Japanese sumo wrestlers are the highlight of this appealing board book. Whether wearing their beautifully patterned yukata, chilling in an oversized ofuro tub, or wandering a verdant Japanese garden, the children communicate a remarkable amount about Japanese sumo culture in these colorful vignettes. A clear and concise closing glossary gives just the right amount of information to help readers contextualize the featured Japanese terms. Though fairly effective as a counting book, the number 4, showing the children grooming “their chonmagestyling” in front of mirrors, may confuse young readers. It’s somewhat jarring that the book jumps from 10 to 50 and then 100, though the sight of 100 children clustered on futons is an effective (and endearing) way to show a large number. However, much like the nine little sumo wrestlers after consuming the epic “chankonabebowls,” the book feels overstuffed. Not only is it a counting and language book, but it also rhymes—sort of. Because of a strained rhythm and the lack of a pronunciation guide for the Japanese words that appear in the book, the reader will not know how to emphasize the syllables.A companion book on opposites is similarly delightful, though the glimpses of Japanese culture are a little more muted.

Though flawed, this is a unique and welcome introduction to sumo and Japanese culture. (Board book. 2-6)

Kirkus Reviews