Too Small Tola

February 1, 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

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Starred review from February 1, 2021
A young girl learns that she doesn't have to be big to make a difference. Tola lives in Lagos, Nigeria, with her siblings--sister Moji and brother Dapo, who call her "Too Small Tola" because she is the smallest--under the care of their grandmother. Each of the three short chapters tells of Tola's adventures while immersing readers in Lagos daily life. In Tola's first adventure, Grandmommy chooses Tola to take shopping, causing Tola to panic as she worries she won't be able to carry their purchases. After collecting everything from Grandmommy's seemingly never-ending list, they make their way home, taking plenty of breaks that leave Tola's siblings jealous. For her second adventure, she must collect water from the well near their building and then make it to school on time, but she must conquer a mean, older kid first. Tola's final adventure occurs during a time of celebrations when Eid falls at the same time as Easter. Readers follow along as Tola takes on the challenge of measuring clients for Mr. Abdul--a tailor who lives in Tola's building--after he breaks his leg. This collection of stories is perfect for transitioning readers, with its manageable chapters, clear, plain language, simple sentence structures, wry sense of humor, and realistic illustrations of the diverse Nigerian cast. While some elements may be unfamiliar to readers outside Tola's culture, readers will find anchors in Tola's relationships. An enjoyable, endearing collection. (Fiction. 7-9)

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March 15, 2021
Grades 2-4 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.

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