SUMO COUNTING

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 chonmage styling” 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 “chankonabe bowls,” 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.