Tomas and the Library Lady

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mora, Pat. 1997. Tomas and the Library Lady. Ill. by Paul Colon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
ISBN 0679904018

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Migrant worker, Tomas learns the joy of reading and the love for books and educates family members and the librarian, too!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tomas travels with his family to Iowa as migrant workers. Mora's depiction of a poor migrant is evident when Mama makes a ball out of an old teddy bear and also when the family rummages in the junkyard for extra money. It's curious how Papa Grande (grandfather) gave Tomas the idea of going to the library, but he haven't gone himself? but then again, he speaks only Spanish. The book also moves from oral tradition of telling stories to reading a book with stories. Tomas teaches his family English and also teaches the librarian, Spanish. The depiction of the librarian is realistic in that she initiates contact with Tomas. she doesn't wait for him to ask questions; she welcomes him in, offers him the water foundation for cool water and brings him books to a table. Colon's illustrations reflexes Mexican-American culture with earth tones scratch board pictures.

4. AWARD AND EXCERPTS
 Texas Bluebonnet Master List, 1999-2000                                                                          
 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, Southwest Texas State University, 1998
 Teachers' Choices, International Reading Association, 1998
 Honor Award in the Multicultural and International category. Skipping Stones Magazine, 1998
 Notable Books for Children, Smithsonian, 1997
 (Pat Mora Website. http://www.patmora.com. Assessed Sept. 15, 2010)        

From School Library Journal
"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."-Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition


5.CONNECTIONS
"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.


This book may go over well here in Texas, emphasizing the Mexican-aAmerican community and a bilingual household. It may be used when introducing students to library science/ dewey decimal system/ Spanish and early research units.