  | Too small Tola (Too Small Tola) Author: Atinuke | |
| Price: $21.68 | ||
Summary:
Tola lives in an apartment in the busy city of Lagos, Nigeria, with her sister, Moji, who is very clever; her brother, Dapo, who is very fast; and Grandmommy, who is very bossy. Tola may be small, but is strong enough to carry a basket brimming with groceries home from the market, and she's clever enough to count out Grandmommy's change. When the faucets in the apartment break, it's Tola who brings water from the well. And when Mr. Abdul, the tailor, has an accident only Tola can save the day.
| Illustrator: | Iwu, Onyinye |
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| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 3.60 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 510237 |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (00/02/21)
Booklist (03/15/21)
The Hornbook (+) (00/03/21)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 02/01/2021 Gr 2–4—To everyone's surprise, Tola is not too small to do big things. Living in Nigeria with her grandmother and siblings, Moji and Dapo, is not always easy for Tola. The family's apartment is small and in need of a makeover, not to mention that the electricity and water situation is unpredictable. But through it all, young Tola shows she can be a big influence. When Grandmommy needs her help at the market, Tola is skeptical but is able to carry the goods home safely. The day the water runs short, Tola is not too small to figure out how to confront the local bullies, the Ododi boys, who are causing trouble by the water pump. Most of all, she proves to be a lifesaver as she stands in for Mr. Abdul, the tailor, by taking his customer's measurements while his broken leg mends. Throughout the story we see evidence of Tola's tight-knit and diverse community. VERDICT An appropriate and enjoyable beginning chapter book for young readers who are transitioning from picture books.—Martha Rico, Yselta I.S.D., TX - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 03/15/2021 Each of the three chapters in Atinuke’s book for young readers acts as an episodic short story involving Tola, her two older siblings (Dapo and Moji), and their fierce but loving grandmother. All the chapters begin the same way: “Tola lives in a run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos.” From here, readers will accompany Tola to a bustling outdoor market, see how she and her siblings handle the water going out in their building, and observe her helping the tailor take orders for upcoming Easter and Eid celebrations. This pleasant read will introduce readers to other lifestyles and Nigerian culture, though some back matter on the subjects would have been useful for readers from different cultural backgrounds. Nevertheless, Tola is likable, her family relatable, and Iwu’s cartoon illustrations will help kids puzzle out unfamiliar words. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
