Picture Book-Review

Tomas and the Library Lady

By: Pat Mora

Illustrated By: Raul Colon

A. Bibliographic Data

Mora, Pat. 1997. Tomas and the Library Lady. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0-679-80401

B. Plot Summary

Tomas and the Library Lady is a children's picture book about a young boy named Tomas. Tomas' parents are migrant workers who travel to Iowa for the summer to pick fruits and vegetables. Tomas is a young boy who loves to hear stories especially from his grandfather. After being strongly encouraged by his grandfather to travel to the library to receive more stories Tomas decides to go. Upon arriving at the library Tomas meets the librarian who gathers books for Tomas to read and enjoy. As the summer moves on Tomas and the librarian develop an everlasting friendship. It is not until the end when Tomas has to go back home for the winter season does the reader realize just how important this relationship truly is. Tomas and the Library Lady is based on a true story.

C. Critical Analysis

Tomas and the Library Lady creates an interesting story for the reader by helping to develop a sense of worth and value to a special place called the library. Pat Mora does an excellent job by incorporating higher level concepts for young readers to read about. Mora introduces the concept of migrant farm workers, and what life is like for young children whose family decides to live this lifestyle. Mora also adds spanish words beside the english translations for young readers to be exposed to spanish words and maybe even learn them. Tomas and the Library Lady teaches children the love of reading stories in a way by aiding in the preservation of the actual library itself. The books shoes children how important the library is and how much fun it can be.

The illustrations in Tomas and the Library Lady have a very strong sense of visual elements by using lines and texture. The pictures look as if they should rise off the page and be rough in texture. Raul Colon is the illustrator of Tomas and the Library Lady, and he uses dramatic lines to create is illustrations.

D. Awards

* Selected for Arlington Reads, 2005
* 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, 1997

* Notable Books for Children, Smithsonian, 1997
* Nebraska Golden Sower Nominee, 1999-2000
* Américas Award Commended List, Consortium of Latin American Studies
Programs (CLASP), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1997

Booklist Review-"From the immigrant slums of New York to the fields of California, it’s an elemental American experience: the uprooted child who finds a home in the library. Mora’s story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomás Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president." —Hazel Rochman, Booklist

E. Connections

* Teach children about immigrant workers and conduct a deeper study

* Conduct a deeper look at the library and have students do research on the library.

* Share the poem "Library Magic"- a poem about Tomas