Bibliography
Mora, Pat. Tomas and The Library Lady. Random House International,1977. ISBN 0375803491
Plot Summary
This is the true story of how a librarian had an impact on a young boy. Tomas was the son of migrant workers who traveled between Texas and Iowa. Traveling and moving can really be hard on young children. Tomas enjoyed listening to the stories that his grandfather would tell them. When they were in Iowa his grandfather suggested that Tomas go to the library and bring new stories back to the family. Here is where Tomas’s love of books began and turned into a lifelong career later in his life. Tomas was hesitant to enter the library when a tall lady asked him to come in and have a drink of water. She then asked him what kind of books he would like to read and their journey together began. Tomas transferred himself into the stories of dinosaurs and tigers. Seeing his enjoyment of the books the librarian checked out two books for Tomas to take home with him. During their summer together the librarian shared books with Tomas and Tomas taught her Spanish. Tomas became the storyteller to his family. When it was time for his family to go back to Texas Tomas cam to tell his friend goodbye. His mother made her a gift of Pan Dolce and the librarian gave Tomas a book to take with him. He left his friend with sadness and a new word – Adios!
Critical Analysis
This book is a must in all libraries around the world. As a teacher/librarian you never know when you might make that lasting impression that will change a life. The simple text and the pictures make it easy to see the life of Tomas understanding the frustration of having to leave his home. The multicultural aspects of Tomas’s family was depicted with the bond that this family shares. It is important to know about how his grandfather inspired Tomas with his stories and built the foundation for him to become a storyteller. With his love of stories and the help of a kind librarian Tomas was fueled with the passion to learn more. This is a rags to riches success that needs to be shared with all.
Tomas Rivera, a migrant worker whose desire to learn led him to a career as a writer and educator. He died in 1984, while serving a the Chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. The campus library now bears the name of the boy who was encouraged to read by a librarian in Iowa.
Review Excerpts
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
Awards
1997 Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature Commended Title
Notable Books for Children,1997, Smithsonian
1998 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award
1998 Teachers' Choices Award from the International Reading Association
1998 Skipping Stones Multicultural Book Award
1999-2000, Texas Bluebonnet Master List Title
1999-2000, Nebraska Golden Sower Nominee
Connections
Curriculum Activities – Teachers/Librarian Resources and Teaching Strategies www.patmora.com/ideas.htm#tomas
Books
Ada, Alma Flor. Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English.Rayo; Bilingual Edition, 2001. ISBN-10: 0688170676 ISBN-13: 978-068-8170677
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