Tomas & the Library Lady

by Pat Mora

Book Overview

A Common Core Exemplar Text by an award-winning author-illustrator team

Tom s is a son of migrant workers. Every summer he and his family follow the crops north from Texas to Iowa, spending long, arduous days in the fields. At night they gather around to hear Grandfather's wonderful stories. But before long, Tom s knows all the stories by heart. "There are more stories in the library," Papa Grande tells him. The very next day,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679804013
• ISBN13: 9780679804017
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Love this book!

This book brings kind memories of childhood friends who were in immigrate families; a difficult life. This book is a reminder that reading gives hope and brings people together. I purchased this book for my children, it is now one of my favorites.

beautiful story

What a wonderful book! Public libraries -- and librarians -- portrayed as casually welcoming and friendly. Too often we still see the stereotype of the mean-spirited and repressed librarian! I will confess that I have had the misfortune of knowing a few of those in my career. But the majority of library workers are kind, thoughtful, and outgoing people who are eager to share the gift of literacy with everyone who walks through the door. I will treasure this book all the more because it is a true story.

A Hearwarming, True Story.....

"It was midnight. The light of the full moon followed the tired old car. Tomas was tired too. Hot and tired. He missed his own bed, in his own house in Texas. Tomas was on his way to Iowa again with his family..." Tomas' family were migrant workers. As his parents toiled in the fields during the day picking corn in the hot Iowa sun, Tomas and his brother, Enrique, tried to stay cool under the shade of trees, listening to the old stories told by their grandfather, Papa Grande. "Tomas, you know all my stories, " he said. "There are many more in the library. You are big enough to go by youself. Then you can teach us new stories." The library was large and cool, and had more books than Tomas had ever imagined. But more importantly, the librarian was very kind and took the young boy under her wing. And with her help, opens up a whole new world for Tomas; the love of books and learning..... Based on the story of Tomas Rivera, a migrant worker who grew up to become an educator and eventually chancellor of the University of California at Riverside, Tomas And The Library Lady is a heartwarming and inspiring story. Pat Mora's sweet, simple, and quiet text is complemented by Raul Colon's gentle and evocative illustrations and together word and art detail the joys of reading, and the wonderful impact one person can have on a young life. Perfect for children 4-8, Ms Mora includes a short biography of Tomas Rivera at the end to complete the story.

inviting-like the library!

This is a short story of a boy named Tomas, who needs more stories than his grandfather can tell, and so he goes to the library. Poor, migrant and Hispanic, he finds a friendly, caring librarian who provides him with the books he needs to nurture his spirit. The illustrations are warm and textured, lending a rich (almost biblical) quality. The experiences of Tomas, and his fertile imagination, are easily recognizable to children of all ages. The historical note on his later success in life is added incentive to keep going to the library for good books, like this one!

Tomas makes reading a life changing experience

This book is the wonderful true story of Tomas Rivera who was the son of migrant workers and became the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside.My sister and nephews were in town and they took a trip to the library with their Nana(my mom). I believe that my sister grabbed this book, because it mentioned the library lady. I liked the fact that the author dedicated this book to Tomas Rivera and "for librarians who lure us in."I read this book to my oldest nephew while he was here. He was absolutely mesmerized by this book. The author draws you in with the tale of Tomas Rivera's life and how his life changed when he discovered the library. The illustrations in the book were beautifully drawn and colorful. Tomas lived with his Mama, Papa, Papa Grande and his little brother, Enrique. His parents were migrant workers. They picked fruit in Texas in the winter and in Iowa in the summer. They were on their way to Iowa for the summer.Tomas had always enjoyed listening to his Papa Grande's stories, and he knew all of them by heart. So, Papa Grande encouraged Tomas to go to the library in Iowa and tell them more stories. The next morning when he reaches the library he becomes very intimidated by the big library. Well, things change once he meets the library lady. She is so warm and inviting to Tomas that Tomas spends the whole day at the library reading. Using her own card, the library lady checks out two books for Tomas to take home and read. While reading, Tomas gets lost in adventures with dinosaurs.During the course of the summer, Tomas teaches the library lady some Spanish, while she encourages him to read more books. There is a tearful goodbye as Tomas gives the library lady some pan dulce(sweet bread) and she gives him a book.I'm glad that the author put a note about the story at the end of the book. The note gives a brief synopsis of Tomas Rivera's life.The major reason I liked this book is the fact that it is encouraging children to read. Reading is the big key to education and success. Also, I think that it is encouraging adults to read to their children, which is definitely important. This book is definitely designed for four to eight year olds.Tomas and the Library Lady should be a part of every child's life.

A story inspired by a true-life hero!

Attention teachers! Add this one to the classroom library. All students will find a true hero in this story. Many of my ESL students identified with Tomas and his struggle for literacy. This book invites the reluctant student to read