Sumo Mouse [Hardcover]

David Wisniewski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2002 | Grade Level: P and up

"Grrr!" growl the cats. "Eeek!" squeak the mice. So it goes in the battle between cat and mouse. But when feline crime hits Tokyo, an unlikely hero strikes back. He's not lean and mean. He's round and profound. He's Sumo Mouse! And he's ready to wrestle all wrongdoers. But can this champion of justice squash the sinister schemes of Dr. Claw? Or will evil pin Sumo Mouse to the mat? Caldecott-winning illustrator David Wisniewski has wrestled brightly colored papers into fun, comic book-inspired collages for this action-packed mouse tale.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This book's endpapers trumpet a corny musical theme, performed by a parade of grinning mice: "If Mount Fuji blows its stack,/ If a monster should attack,/ Don't just hide inside your house!/ Give a call for Sumo Mouse!" The superhero jingle sets the mood for a mock-dramatic story about a "chubby champion of justice," an enormous purple mouse with a topknot and yellow trunks. Sumo Mouse makes his home in Tokyo, where smaller, skinnier mice are being abducted. He knows that a cat mafia runs the mousenapping ring, to keep Tanaka Toys in business. "We can't make squeaky toys without squeaky mice," growls the cats' leader. Meanwhile, down at the wrestling arena, Sumo Mouse turns out to be not a real sumo champion or rikishi, but a scrawny barber named Yama who "trained to be a rikishi like his forefathers. He mastered every thrust and throw, but never grew in body." When his friends are threatened by the cats' diabolical invention, none other than a sumo-wrestling robot mouse, Yama climbs into his fleshy Sumo Mouse exoskeleton and leaps into battle. The late Wisniewski (Tough Cookie) takes his cues from monster cinema and comics. His high-anxiety plot is so loose that it threatens to disintegrate, but his multi-paneled spreads and signature cut-paper illustrations are layered with explosive activity. And he sustains the Iron Chef-style hilarity as Sumo Mouse saves the day. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-The artwork for this tale set in Tokyo is done in Wisniewski's usual paper-cutting technique, but without the intricate layers and depth of his earlier work, such as The Golem (Clarion, 1996). The larger, simpler outlines, however, fit the comic-book layout and approach to this story, as do the eye-popping shades of yellow, purple, and orange. Sumo Mouse is a superhero with a secret identity-an updated version of Superman with an Asian twist. The evil cats, Tiger Tanaka and Dr. Claw, plan to unmask him so they can continue to make squeaky toys with live mice. In a case of mistaken identity, they plan to attack the famous sumo wrestler Gachinko to prove that he is the one who has been foiling their plans. Although they are stopped dead in their tracks by the wrestling tactics of the real Sumo Mouse and never learn his identity, clever readers will soon spot the true hero in the tiny, mild-mannered barber who gives wrestling tips to the stars. Although some of the details in the pictures may be a bit small for group viewing, the nonstop action, large-scale figures, unusual angles, and varied sound effects ("swoosh," "crunch," "kaboom," "eek") will make for dramatic reading and invite group participation.
Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811834921
• ISBN-13: 978-0811834926
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,373,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Colorful comic fun for youngsters, April 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Sumo Mouse (Hardcover)

My son first saw this book at our local library. In the case of children's picture books, he definitely judges a book by its cover! The bright yellow and purple caught his eye and the mouse in a sumo stance with an ear-to-ear grin was instantly appealing!

We read this book every night for the 2 weeks we had it, and loved it so much that I purchased a copy for my son later. It's still a favorite, and it's not just nice to look at, but it has a sweet message to accompany the comic-like feel.

I love reading this book and making up a tune for the theme song on the endpages just as much as my sons enjoy hearing it. I recommend this as a fun book for any home library collection!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who is that Chubby Champion of Justice....., November 9, 2002

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sumo Mouse (Hardcover)

"If Mount Fuji Blows its stack,/If a monster should attack,/Don't just hide inside your house!/Give a call for Sumo Mouse!" There's trouble in Tokyo. Tanaka Toys, maker of squeaky toys, is kidnapping mice. "We can't make squeaky toys without squeaky mice." Who's going to save these innocent victims from the dastardly toy company and its cruel owner Tiger Tanaka? It's Sumo Mouse! He vaults into action, crushes the villains with his superior technique, and then vanishes into the night. But Tanaka Toy's evil Doctor Claw has a plan to thwart this champion of squeaky mice. Will this be the end of Sumo Mouse? Award winning author and illustrator, David Wisniewski, has outdone himself with this clever, playful superhero tale. His witty and humorous text is dramatic and engaging. But it's his bold, bright, and busy collage artwork that really makes this story come alive. Each page is filled with dazzling color, eye-catching detail, marvelous sound effects, and lots of energy, and little ones will revel in all the fun-filled, sumo wrestling action. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Sumo Mouse is a delightful, manic romp that begs to be read aloud and shared. "If the earth begins to shake,/If the sea makes buildings break,/Don't be filled with great dismay!/Sumo Mouse will save the day!"

5.0 out of 5 stars A really fun book!, July 29, 2011

By 

Ms CK (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sumo Mouse (Hardcover)

My 4 year old son loves this book and asked for this book everyday for several weeks. When we had to return it the libary, I had to buy a copy for him and was delighted to see it vailable on Amazon at such a discount! The art work is bright and comic-like, complete with "kapows" and other sound effects, and the text is witty and fun. The story moves along at a fast pace. I love the little ditty on the end papers of the book and it is difficult to read aloud without making up a little tune to go with it. This book will appeal to young children with its unlikely hero, bad guys and, of course, fighting.