Module 10: Tomas and the Library Lady

Tomas and the Library Lady

by Pat Mora

Citation:

Mora, P. (1997). Tomas and the library lady . New York, New York:
        Dragonfly Books

Summary

This is a story about a boy in a family of migrant workers. They travel between Iowa and Texas for work. Tomas likes to listen to his grandfather tell stories while they rest. Tomas gets to where he knows all of his stories. Grandfather tells him to go to the library. Once he is there he meets the “Library Lady” who introduces him to the world of books. Tomas teaches her Spanish words and she listens to him read. When his family has to leave, Tomas is sad. The “Library Lady” gives him a new book. Grandfather is glad Tomas will now have many new stories to tell.

Impressions

This is a great story. Not only is it multicultural, discussing migrant workers, but it also shows a love of storytelling. I liked the way that it showed as he read he was surrounded by the story. It was also nice to see the grandfather being supportive of his love of reading and storytelling.

Professional Reviews

Gr 1-4-- Mora's slice-of-life account tells of the son of migrant workers (inspired by the boyhood of Hispanic author and educator Tomás Rivera) whose horizons and linguistic skills are thrown wide open by the guidance of a friendly librarian. The hardships of migrant life and the dreams that books and learning provide are carefully delineated in both text and muted illustrations. (Spanish edition: Tomás y la Señora de la Biblioteca)

School Library Journal

Renner, C. (2005). Tomás and the library lady [Review of Book]. School Library 

       Journal, 51(7), 44. 

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K-Gr. 4. Tomás is the son of migrant farm laborers who are working the harvest in Iowa. When he visits the local library, Tomás is befriended by a librarian who shares a variety of books with him. An author's note reveals that the story is based on the childhood of Tomás Rivera, a writer, university professor, and national education leader.

Book Links

Frost, S. (2009, 01). Tomás and the library lady [Review of Book]. Book Links, 

        18(3), 53.

Library Uses

This would be a good story to use to introduce the idea of Storytelling. After reading the story, the librarian could share an example of “storytelling” then have students come up with their own story to share with the class.

References

Amazon. (2016). [Image of book cover]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Tomas-Library-Lady-Dragonfly-Books/dp/0375803491/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1460330178&sr=1-1&keywords=Tomas+and+the+Library+Lady

Frost, S. (2009, 01). Tomás and the library lady [Review of Book]. Book Links, 

 18(3), 53.

Mora, P. (1997). Tomas and the library lady . New York, New York:
             Dragonfly Books

Renner, C. (2005). Tomás and the library lady [Review of Book]. School Library 

             Journal, 51(7), 44.