Revie of Tomas and the Library Lady

• Bibliography

Mora, Pat. 1997. TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.. ISBN 0679804013

• Plot Summary

Young Tomas helps his migrant farm worker family in the fields of Iowa, but misses his home in Texas. he loves his grandfather's stories and cool water. After telling a story to Tomas and his younger brother, Grandfather suggests that it is time that Tomas visit the library and get some books so that they might have some new stories. Tomas entered the library in town and was instantly greeted by the Library Lady who offered him cool water and books. They developed a friendship as Tomas returned again and again to the library and the lady who gave him cool water and checked out books to him in her name. When Tomas and his family had to leave to return to Texas he and his grandfather took sweet bread to the Library Lady. He left for Texas with a brand new book and the memory of a very nice, new friend.

• Critical Analysis

A sweet story that was based on the childhood experience of Dr. Tomas Rivera (1935-1984) whose family were migrant workers in Texas and Iowa. Mora's focus on the friendship and generosity offered by the librarian to Tomas encourages readers to want to spend time in the library finding the next new story. A bit of heartbreak, deftly handled comes when the family must move back to Texas. Gifts and hugs were exchanged between the Library Lady and Tomas, leaving the book on a sweet, happier note.

Colon's illustrations are neutral in tone and are reminiscent of impressionist pointalism combined with patterned scratchings. The neutrality of the color palette helps maintain the focus on the story. The faces of the people and dinosaurs are all very friendly and inviting.

• Review Excerpts

Review in Horn Book-"A charming, true story about the encounter between the boy who become chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and a librarian in Iowa."

Review in GoodReads-"This tribute to Tomas and his mentor reminds us of the power of stories and those dedicated librarians who have changed the lives of so many people."

• Connections

Examine other books about libraries and librarians. Talk about how those libraries and librarians are similar and perhaps how very different they are.

Have children share their favorite story of their own experience with a librarian that made them feel good. give them the opportunity to illustrate a page for a class book about their experiences.