Tomás and the Library Lady by Pat Mora - Book Review

Bibliography: 
Mora, Pat. (1997). Tomás and the Library Lady. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0679804013.


Plot Summary: 
Young Tomás' family is a migrant farmer family, travelling between places every fall and spring. Tomás finds the public library and begins to visit often. He makes friends with the librarian who lets him take books home and share the stories with his family. Tomás falls in love with books and spends his spare time at the library. When it is time for Tomás' family to move again he gives a parting gift to the librarian. The story ends with a note about Tomás Rivera (the muse for the story) and his love for books.  


Critical Analysis: 
The illustrations are fabulous. The colors are very subdued yet defined. The lines of the illustrations flow well and show action in the pictures. The front of the pictures are defined, with the background a little hazy. There are very intricate details, like the dinosaurs teeth and the eyes of the characters. Another thing I noticed was the texture of the pictures. 
Tomás becomes the storyteller of the family since he is going to the library and reading new books and gaining new ideas. Tomás is not the only person in the library learning - Tomás is also teaching the librarian Spanish. Several Spanish words come up in the text. The book is almost a 'coming of age' as the storytelling is passed down from the Grandfather to Tomás. 
It is interesting to note the author's note in the back of the book. Tomás Rivera's life was influenced by a librarian and by books. If reading the book aloud, be sure to make note of this to students. Having the "true story" behind the picture book brings reality to the already heartwarming book.


Awards Won: 
Texas Bluebonnet Master List 1999-2000
Notable Children's Books - Smithsonian 1997
Children's Picture Book Review excerpt: "The combination of watercolors and colored pencils in earth tones creates the hazy feel of summer days, which nicely compliment the heartwarming story by Pat Mora. The story is even more affecting when we realize it is a fictionalized account of one summer in the life of a real person." 


Connections: 
--Use to introduce new cultural ideas or careers
--Use to introduce a bilingual study
--Use as an icebreaker for "Meet the Librarian" or "Get to know the Library"
--Use in conjunction with lessons on the importance of reading or the art of storytelling.




Source:
About.com. "Tomas and the Library Lady: Children's Picture Book Review." http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/productreviews/fr/tomas_library.htm