Tomas and the Library Lady

Bibliography

Mora, Pat. 1997. TOMÁS AND THE LIBRARY LADY. Ill. Raul Colón. New York: Knopf. ISBN 0679804013

Summary

Tomás, the son of migrant workers, lives in Texas during the year with his family while they pick crops and travels to Iowa during the summer where there is work. While Tomás’ parents are in the fields picking corn, Tomás plays ball with his younger brother Enrique. When the two get hot, they sit under the tree to hear stories from Papá Grande. Papá Grande encourages Tomás to go to the public library so that he can teach his family new stories.

Tomás goes to the library and meets the librarian who brings him books on dinosaurs and tigers. Tomás begins to read the books and finds that he enjoys reading. Tomás takes home two books and reads the stories to his Mamá, Papá, Enrique, and Papá Grande. Throughout the summer, Tomás continues to visit the library where he reads new books and teaches the librarian Spanish words. When it is time for Tomás and his family to return to Texas, he brings the librarian pan dulce, sweet bread. In return, the librarian gives Tomás a brand new book.

Critical Analysis

Based on true events, Tomás and the Library Lady is about Tomás Rivera’s childhood experiences as a son of migrant workers. In order to maintain work, Tomás and his family must travel back and forth from Texas and Iowa to work in the fields. The reader is able to gather that the Rivera family is has little money. The Rivera family travel each year in a “rusty old car”, “sleep on cots in the small house that his family shared with the other workers”, “the boys played with a ball Mamá had sewn from an old teddy bear”, and his family would go to the town dump to “look for pieces of iron to sell.”

Mora integrates Spanish words beautifully throughout the story. Both Tomás and Enrique are authentic names, and Tomás talks to his family he calls them Mamá, Papá, and Papá Grande. Phrases such as: “Buenas noches” which means “Good night”, “En un tiempo pasado” which means “Once upon a time,” and “¡Qué tigre tan grande!” which means “What a big tiger!” are used to capture both English and Spanish speaking audiences.

A few other cultural markers evident in the story are the importance of family and education. The reader can tell that Tomás and is family is close. His Papá Grande lives and travels with Tomás and his family. To entertain one another, they sit together and share stories. Also, Tomás and his brother Enrique help their parents by carrying water to them in the fields. Papá Grande encourages Tomás to go to the library so that he can learn new stories to share. Because of his Papá Grande and the librarian, Tomás Rivera became a writer and professor.

Illustrator Raul Colón uses warm browns and golds to capture the lives of migrant workers. Tomás and his family have carmel colored skin and dark brown hair. His Papá Grande has a long mustache and silver hair. The reader can tell that the family is happy when they are together. Several illustrations capture the love that Tomás has for reading. On the very last page, Tomás has his eyes closed, hugging his book, and dreaming of the dinosaurs in his story. “Tomás closed his eyes. He saw the dinosaurs drinking cool water long ago. He heard the cry of the wild snakebird. He felt the warm neck of the dinosaur as he held on tight for a bumpy ride.”

A note about the story is written at the back of the book. This story was based on true events about Tomás Rivera.

Reviews

School Library Journal review: “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.”

Booklist review: “From the immigrant slums of New York City 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 Tomas Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president. Far from his home in Texas, the small boy is working with his family picking corn in Iowa. Inspired by the Spanish stories his grandfather (Papa Grande) tells, Tomas goes to the library to find more stories.”

Connections

Other stories written by Pat Mora include:

Mora, Pat. 1997. A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA. ISBN 0689813287

Mora, Pat. 1996. CONFETTI: POEMS FOR CHILDREN. ISBN 1880000253

Mora, Pat. 1994. PABLO’S TREE. ISBN 0027674010