Tomas and the Library Lady (Dragonfly Books) [Paperback]

Pat Mora (Author), Raul Colon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Dragonfly Books

"A gentle text and innovative artwork depict a pivotal summer in a boy's life when he and his family leave their Texas home for farm work in Iowa. One morning, while his parents pick corn, Tomás visits the imposing town library and meets a kindly librarian who gently coaxes him inside. Throughout the hot days thereafter, she offers Tomás cool drinks of water and adventurous escapes into books; on slow days he teaches her Spanish until it's time to return home to Texas: 'I have a sad word to teach you today. The word is adiós. It means good-bye.' . . . While young readers and future librarians will find this an inspiring tale, the end note gives it a real kick: the story is based on an actual migrant worker [Tomás Rivera] who became chancellor of a university--where the library now bears his name."--Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sometimes you read a story and it almost seems too nice. This book may seem to be one of those at first, but the difference is that this story is true! Tomás and the Library Lady is the wonderfully illustrated tale of Tomás Rivera and the kind librarian who helped him learn to love books. Tomás started his life as a migrant worker and, when he died, was a university chancellor. (The UC Riverside library now bears his name.)

This tribute to Tomás and his mentor reminds us of the power of stories and those dedicated librarians who have changed the lives of so many people. (Recommended for ages 4-8; it's great for new English readers and is also available in Spanish.) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?Tomas Rivera, who at his death in 1984 was the Chancellor of the University of California at Riverside, grew up in a migrant family. Here, Mora tells the fictionalized story of one summer in his childhood during which his love of books and reading is fostered by a librarian in Iowa, who takes him under her wing while his family works the harvest. She introduces him to stories about dinosaurs, horses, and American Indians and allows him to take books home where he shares them with his parents, grandfather, and brother. When it is time for the family to return to Texas, she gives Tomas the greatest gift of all?a book of his own to keep. Colon's earthy, sun-warmed colors, textured with swirling lines, add life to this biographical fragment and help portray Tomas's reading adventures in appealing ways. Stack this up with Sarah Stewart and David Small's The Library (Farrar, 1995) and Suzanne Williams and Steven Kellogg's Library Lil (Dial, 1997) to demonstrate the impact librarians can have on youngsters.?Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dragonfly Books; 1st Dragonfly Books Ed edition (February 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375803491
• ISBN-13: 978-0375803499
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.2 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Reference & Nonfiction > School & Education
  • #76 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > School & Education

More About the Author

Pat Mora, born in El Paso, Texas, is an award-winning poet and author of books for adults, teens, and children. Her awards include a Poetry Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Golden Kite Award, American Library Association Notable Book Awards, and honorary doctorates. A former teacher and university administrator, she is the founder of the family literacy initiative El día de los niños / El día de los libros, Children's Day / Book Day (Día). The year-long commitment to linking all children to books, languages and cultures, and of sharing what Pat calls "bookjoy," culminates in celebrations across the country in April. Pat lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and invites you to visit her at www.patmora.com and http://sharebookjoy.blogspot.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tomas makes reading a life changing experience, July 29, 2000

By 

Rob Darrah (Dallas, Tx United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tomas and the Library Lady (Hardcover)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story inspired by a true-life hero!, April 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tomas and the Library Lady (Hardcover)

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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars inviting-like the library!, June 2, 2001

By 

J. Mack "reviewer2" (Pacific, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tomas and the Library Lady (Dragonfly Books) (Paperback)

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!