Customer Reviews

Tomas and the Library Lady

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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!

"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.

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.

Tomas was one of six books purchased for my son's summer reading collection prior to kindergarten. This was by far our favorite! Tomas discovers a wealth of entertainment through visiting the library. It also touches upon friendship and family connection. What wonderful values for my five-year-old to read about!

Tomas and the Library Lady is a beautifully written story based on some of Tomas Rivera's experiences as a young reader. The story takes place in Iowa, where Tomas's parents go every summer as migrant workers. Pat Mora does an excellent job describing the setting as dry and hot and Raul Colon's illustrations only add to the feeling with his excessive use of grainy texture and warm sandy colors. I couldn't help but pour myself a glass of ice cold water after reading this book! Tomas and the Library Lady is a great book for Spanish and English speaking children alike seeing that it provides many Spanish translations throughout the story as well as it has subtle multicultural elements scattered about. In the book, Tomas's grandfather often tells Tomas and his brother stories orally as a sort of family tradition. Tomas wants to learn stories of his own to tell to his family, so his grandfather shows him the library where he is welcomed by the "library lady" who provides him with books of dinosaurs and tigers. Tomas gets completely immersed into the books that he reads and feels as if he is inside them. This book should be put in all classrooms because it is perfect for getting children to realize how fun reading can be and maybe even get them interested in asking their parents or teacher where the closest public library is. Most importantly, this story shows readers how books and storytelling can be a perfect way to bring families closer together.

This Story is about a boy named Tomas who loves his grandfathers stories but needs new ones for him to tell, so he goes to the town library. Tomas meets the friendly, librarian lady who helps him find books he would love. The library lady was very kind and warm-hearted toward Tomas so he loved coming to the library every day. Tomas read books about dinosaurs, and tigers and so it helped him forget all the difficult things in his life.

This book would be great to add to a teachers classroom bookshelf. It can show students just how much reading can change your life. Tomas is a true hero in the story and grows up to do amazing things. I really enjoyed reading this book because i love the lessons you take away from it.

This is a beautifully written and illustrated story about the power of education, and the difference one person can make in the lives of others. The "Library Lady" who took an interest in a little boy made had a profound impact in his life. A "must read" for teachers searching for meaning and for all people who may question the power of their actions.

Tomas' character is based on Tomas Rivera, a man whose life from migrant worker to university chancellor was helped along by an Iowan librarian he knew as a child. In this heartwarming tale, Tomas is presented as a shy, awkward child who is made to feel welcome in the public library. As Tomas reads stories of dinosaurs, tigers, and the Wild West, he forgets his difficult life. He even teaches the librarian some Spanish words, which he discovers is something he enjoys - enough to make a career in education.

Any of us who have worked in a public library can recognize these characters. The kind librarian provides a water fountain and the right books for the right child. What could better sum up our mission?

The earth toned illustrations look like pastels and convey whimsy and pleasantness. Overall this is a good book for any child who wants an inspiring story.