Module 6/Historical Fiction/July 7-July 13

Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora
Illustrated by Raul Colon

Mora, P.  (1997).  Tomas and the library lady.  New York:  Random House.

Summary

Tomas is a young boy who helps work in the fields with his parents.  They travel to where the work is:  Texas in the winter and Iowa in the summer.  Tomas is very sad when he has to leave Texas for Iowa.  However, one of Tomas' favorite things is listening to his Papa Grande tell his stories; he even has Papa Grande's stories memorized.  One night, Papa Grande suggests that Tomas go to the library.  He is intimidated at first, but he makes friends with the librarian and she introduces him to the world of books.  He gets lost in tales of the dinosaurs.  Soon, Tomas has become a storyteller himself because of all of the stories he is reading.  Tomas even begins teaching the librarian Spanish.  The day comes when it is time for Tomas to go back to Texas.  He teaches the librarian the final word, adios, and gives her sweet bread his mom made for her.  She gives him a book to take on his journey back.  Although Tomas is sad to leave, he has found a love for books that is sure to last him the rest of his life.  

My Impression

This book is both a good story accompanied by wonderful illustrations.  I really enjoyed the cultural aspect of it and how the author used Spanish words throughout the story.  Also, any child can relate to their first time in a place, even a library, and how intimidating it is.  Mora does a great job of being very vivid in his writing, creating a visual for the reader and using beautiful description words.  Mora and Colon make a wonderful team as the illustrations flow perfectly with the story and the characters are drawn flawlessly.  My favorite part about the book aside from the storyline and illustrations though is the fact that it is semi-bilingual.  I also love that it is a true story about Tomas Rivera. 

Reviews and Awards

" A charming, true story about the encounter between the boy who would become chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and a librarian in Iowa. Tomas Rivera, child of migrant laborers, picks crops in Iowa in the summer and Texas in the winter, traveling from place to place in a worn old car. When he is not helping in the fields, Tomas likes to hear Papa Grande's stories, which he knows by heart. Papa Grande sends him to the library downtown for new stories, but Tomas finds the building intimidating. The librarian welcomes him, inviting him in for a cool drink of water and a book. Tom†s reads until the library closes, and leaves with books checked out on the librarian's own card. For the rest of the summer, he shares books and stories with his family, and teaches the librarian some Spanish. At the end of the season, there are big hugs and a gift exchange: sweet bread from Tom†s's mother and a shiny new book from the librarianto keep. Colon's dreamy illustrations capture the brief friendship and its life-altering effects in soft earth tones, using round sculptured shapes that often depict the boy right in the middle of whatever story realm he's entered. (Picture book. 7-10)."

(2010, May 20).  [Review of the book Tomas and the library lady].  Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/pat-mora/tomas-and-the-library-lady/.

1997 Américas Award for Children’s and  Young Adult Literature Commended Title  

1999-2000 Texas Bluebonnet Master List Title
1999-2000 Nebraska Golden Sower Nominee

Suggestions for Use

*Have someone read the Spanish version and the English version of the book to children

*Teach simple Spanish words to children at the library