Common Sense Media Review
By Jan Carr
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Boy plays Mexican wrestler in exuberant bilingual tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
NIÑO WRESTLES THE WORLD begins with a young boy, Niño, playing with his toys. When he hears his name called by the wrestling announcer, he dons his lucha libre mask and strips down to his baggy underwear, ready for his first match, against La Momia de Guanajuato (The Guanajuato Mummy), whom he defeats using the Tickle Tackle. Each match is announced by the narrator/announcer: In Niño vs. Cabeza Olmec (Olmec Head) he defeats his opponent with a Puzzle Muzzle move; in Niño vs. La Llorona (Weeping Woman) he triumphs using dolls. He goes on to defeat El Extraterrestre (The Alien) with marbles and El Chamuco (Devil) with his scooter. When his Las Hermanitas, his two baby sisters, wake up from their nap, they tackle, tickle, and bite him. "How is Niño going to win this time? Niño's best move ever: If you can't defeat them… join them!"
Is It Any Good?
This action-packed story about lucha libre celebrates the colorful and theatrical Mexican sport in a fun, imaginative, kid-friendly way, while incorporating Spanish language. Authorillustrator Yuyi Morales has an exuberant style that communicates warmth and humor. When Niño strips down to his tighty whities to play luchador (wrestler), his underpants are humorously baggy, and his wrestling moves incorporate common toys like marbles, scooters, and puzzle pieces.
Niño Wrestles the World is narrated as if an announcer's broadcasting the wrestling matches. Morales works in lots of Spanish so the book's a natural for both Spanish-speaking families and learners. The names of Niño's opponents are all translated, and when Niño looks at the clock and realizes his sisters are about to get up from a nap, he cries "¡Recórcholis!" instead of "Yikes!" The mask, villain opponents, and many action words (ZOK! SLISH!) give the book the fun feel of a superhero romp. But Niño's also loving and kind to his baby sisters. A short note at the end provides information about lucha libre.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Spanish vocabulary woven into Niño Wrestles the World. Can you figure out what the words mean from context? Are there places in the book that explain the meaning?
At the front and back of the book the author-illustrator has drawn small cards with information on each of the players. Do you have any sports cards like these? For which sport? What kind of information do they include?
How does Niño use play and toys to defeat his opponents? Can you find the toys pictured at the beginning of the book?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Yuyi Morales
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Superheroes , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : June 4, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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