Review - SumoKitty

SumoKitty
by David Biedrzycki
Date: 2019
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 50
Format: e-book
Source: library

Watch out, mice! This cat is a sumo champion!

A stray kitty gets a job in a sumo stable, chasing mice in exchange for food. But when eating like a sumo wrestler slows our feline hero down, he realizes he must train like a wrestler, too. Through hard work and perseverance--and with a little help from a big buddy--SumoKitty is born!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Sumo wrestling isn't a common topic for a picture book (at least, I haven't seen very many that incorporate the sport into the story). SumoKitty is about a cat who lives with some sumo wrestlers in exchange for keeping the mice at bay. But soon, weighed down by too much good food, he starts to lose his edge. And then he loses his job. He must persevere and try hard to win back his place... all while being inspired by his much larger human friend.

The message is lovely and the illustrations are adorable. Sumo terms are sprinkled throughout (along with pronunciations) so readers will also learn a bit about the sumo way of life as the story progresses.

Cat lovers will probably appreciate this one, but it's a nice choice for anyone looking for books about never giving up, as well as books set in Japan that focus on sumo wrestling.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.17 out of 5