MIDDLE GRADE CONTEMPORARY/REALISTIC/GLOBAL FICTION : Too Small Tola by Atinuke
ABOUT THE BOOK
Tolu may be small, but she's very determined.
Three delightful stories about Too Small Tola, a young girl who, though small, is very determined. Tola lives in a flat in Lagos with her sister, Moji, who is very clever; her brother, Dapo, who is very fast; and Grandmommy, who is very bossy. Tola proves to be stronger than she seems when she goes to market with Grandmommy and manages to carry home a basket full of yams and vegetables, chilli peppers and fish. When the taps in the flat don't work, it's Tola who brings water from the well, and it's Tola who saves the day when Mr Abdul, the tailor, needs his goods to be delivered quickly. Too Small Tola is a wonderful new character in the world of children's books by multi-award-winning children's writer and storyteller Atinuke.
Three delightful stories about Too Small Tola, a young girl who, though small, is very determined. Tola lives in a flat in Lagos with her sister, Moji, who is very clever; her brother, Dapo, who is very fast; and Grandmommy, who is very bossy. Tola proves to be stronger than she seems when she goes to market with Grandmommy and manages to carry home a basket full of yams and vegetables, chilli peppers and fish. When the taps in the flat don't work, it's Tola who brings water from the well, and it's Tola who saves the day when Mr Abdul, the tailor, needs his goods to be delivered quickly. Too Small Tola is a wonderful new character in the world of children's books by multi-award-winning children's writer and storyteller Atinuke.
REVIEW
As with her Anna Hibiscus series, Atinuke presents the reader with a delightful character that is impossible not to like. Tola lives with her older brother, Dapo, older sister, Moji, and her Grandmommy in a broken down apartment building in Lagos, Nigeria. The book is divided into three stories. The first story finds Tola and her Grandmommy walking to the market to buy supplies which they then have to carry home. Tola's siblings make fun of her for being too small, but refuse to take her place. The trip proves to be busy and exhausting, but is made easier when the two stop for some rest and treats along the way. The second story revolves around Tola's efforts to get to school on time even though she has to help get water from the pump in the street because the water and electricity is off in the building. She runs into a bully and other challenges that make it seem likely she will be late for math, her favorite subject. The last story sends Tola and her brother, Dapo, out running errands to help a neighbor who injured his leg in an accident. Both children learn a lot and have the opportunity to further develop some of their talents as they help their neighbor prepare for the upcoming Eid and Easter holidays.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories by Atinuke. She has a gift for pulling her readers into the worlds she creates. I enjoyed the characters, especially spunky, determined Tola, who definitely NOT too small despite her small size. The setting is wonderfully depicted, giving me and young readers a glimpse into a way of life quite different than most places in the United States. Despite the challenges that Tola faces though, she if easy to relate to and a delightful companion for a time. I look forward to reading and sharing this book and future volumes.
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