Module 6: Tomas and the Library Lady

Summary: Tomas is a migrant worker's son and he loves to hear his grandfather tell stories.  Tomas's grandfather tells him that he knows all of his stories and should go to the library to learn some more stories.  Tomas is amazed at the library and makes a new friend in the librarian.  Tomas learns many new stories to share with his grandfather. 

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

Impressions:Tomas and the Library Lady reminds each and every librarian and future librarian why they decided to pursue being a librarian in the first place. Their love of stories and books.  Living in the panhandle of Texas where there is migrant workers frequently this story was very relatable.  To see the love and attention that the librarian provides to Tomas as he comes to discover new stories to share with his grandfather is one reason that I want to be a librarian.  I love to get lost in a story and the thought of being able to share a room full of stories with a child makes me smile.  Tomas as a real person made such a big impact in the world of education that sharing his story is important.  I am working in a dual language school this school year and I am really debating sharing this book with my students.  I think that many of them will be able to relate to the story of the young boy listening to stories from his grandfather.

Professional Review:

TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY

by Pat Mora, illustrated by Raúl Colón

Age Range: 7 - 10

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. Tom†s 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, Tom†s likes to hear Papa Grande's stories, which he knows by heart. Papa Grande sends him to the library downtown for new stories, but Tom†s 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. Col¢n'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)

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

Library Uses: This book could be part of a beginning library lesson about why a library is important.