A young Texan finds refuge in his new Iowa town's library, where the librarian offers him cool comfort from hot summer days and whirlwind adventure...
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Apr 15, 2009
Emmy
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Tomas is young boy who loves stories. His parents are migrant farm workers who spend the winter in Texas and the summer in Iowa. Tomas meets a friendly librarian and discovers a world of imagination in books.
Founder of El Dia de los Ninos, Pat Mora is a Mexican-American author. This book explores the Mexican-American family experience. Tomas is an authentic character. His story was written by a Chicana and is based on the true story of Tomas Rivera, a national education leader. T More...
Founder of El Dia de los Ninos, Pat Mora is a Mexican-American author. This book explores the Mexican-American family experience. Tomas is an authentic character. His story was written by a Chicana and is based on the true story of Tomas Rivera, a national education leader. T More...
Mar 06, 2011
Esther
rated it:
Published in 2001 by Tandem Library
Interest Level: 3rd-5th Grade
This book is about the son of a migrant family that moves from Texas to Iowa for work. At first it explores the life of a child in a migrant family and they types of activities that Tomas participates in, but then later Tomas discovers the town librarian and begins to read voraciously. The illustrations begin to mirror these explorations as Tomas begins to bring his books home and pictures the stories in them. This More...
Interest Level: 3rd-5th Grade
This book is about the son of a migrant family that moves from Texas to Iowa for work. At first it explores the life of a child in a migrant family and they types of activities that Tomas participates in, but then later Tomas discovers the town librarian and begins to read voraciously. The illustrations begin to mirror these explorations as Tomas begins to bring his books home and pictures the stories in them. This More...
Jul 09, 2010
Kathy
rated it: 
Tomás and the Library Lady by Pat Mora
Illustrated by Raul Colón
Ages K-4
32p Publisher: Dragonfly Books 2000
This book is based upon the real life experiences of Tomás Rivera, the son of migrant worker parents, who valued education and eventually became the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. In Tomás and the Library Lady, Tomás is the young son of migrant laborers who leave their home in Texas to find work in Iowa. When it became too hot in More...
Illustrated by Raul Colón
Ages K-4
32p Publisher: Dragonfly Books 2000
This book is based upon the real life experiences of Tomás Rivera, the son of migrant worker parents, who valued education and eventually became the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. In Tomás and the Library Lady, Tomás is the young son of migrant laborers who leave their home in Texas to find work in Iowa. When it became too hot in More...
3 comments
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(2 people liked it)
May 06, 2010
Kathryn
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I really appreciated the kind and wise library lady in Tomás and the Library Lady. I love how perceptive she was about Tomás' circumstances, always making sure he got something cool to drink, and being so encouraging of him sharing his language with her--it made it so they were equal learners in the process and I think that is just so darn important! Kids need to know that they can share things with adults! I also loved the sharing across generations, with the grandfather telling his stories and
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Nov 06, 2009
Tami
rated it: 
1st – 5th Grade (Read aloud/Independent Reading)
Raul Colón used a unique illustrating style; the images in this book appear as if he used an etching tool on his painting to give the pictures a distinct texture. Many of the pictures in this book are obviously framed, with the exception of Tomás’ playful and imaginative scenes, the picture goes beyond the frame into the negative space on the page. “Tomás and the Library Lady” is written in mostly English, containing one – three paragraphs pe More...
Raul Colón used a unique illustrating style; the images in this book appear as if he used an etching tool on his painting to give the pictures a distinct texture. Many of the pictures in this book are obviously framed, with the exception of Tomás’ playful and imaginative scenes, the picture goes beyond the frame into the negative space on the page. “Tomás and the Library Lady” is written in mostly English, containing one – three paragraphs pe More...
Oct 30, 2009
(NS) Dana
rated it:
Tomas comes from a family that for years his parents have been migrant workers. After long days of work, Tomas enjoys relaxing with the other workers and hearing stories from Grandpa in Spanish. Tomas loves these stories and is old enough to visit the library by himself. Tomas begins a new adventure in the world of books once he discovers what the library has to offer. He meets a wonderful librarian who is eager to share with Tomas. The lady librarian checks books out for Tomas who in turn share
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Aug 25, 2009
Bernadette
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I have heard of this book many times and was excited to see it on the library shelf as one of my choices. I had no idea I would like the book this much. I didn't realize that it was inspired by the real life story of Tomas Rivera. This would be a great book for all students, but especially those that could relate to Tomas' life. And sharing with the students the true story of Tomas Rivera could be very inspirational for all readers. My favorite aspect of the book was that, when describing what T
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Sep 23, 2011
I thought Tomas and the Library Lady was a really cute book for children to read and I even really enjoyed it myself. The impact that the librarian and the books have on Tomas' life is really enjoying to read about. Tomas gets the courage to pay a visit to the Library from his grandfather who traveled with his family to Iowa on their adventure to pick fruits and vegetables. Tomas becomes friends with the Librarian and she even gives him a book for him to take home of his own. When reading this b
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Aug 12, 2010
Colleen
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Inspired by the life of Tomas Rivera, Chancellor of UC Riverside. Tomas and his family are migrant farm workers traveling from state to state. Every summer they settle in Iowa to do field work. Tomas' grandfather, Papa Grande, tells stories to pass the time. One day Papa Grande suggests that Tomas visit the public library. When Tomas arrives at the library the library lady offers him a cold drink and helps him pick out books about animals that he can borrow with her account. Tomas brings th
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Oct 20, 2010
Tiffany
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I usually don't review kids books just because. But I decided I would review some every once in a while. This book was an assignment for a school reading challenge during the month of October. Then they have a party with the families at the school. The book was entertaining and I enjoyed demonstrating the love of the library. I loved the mix of adding some Spanish words to the book. What I loved best was it was based on a true story. This boy learned to love stories and was a migrant work
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Jan 19, 2012
Anna
rated it:
One of my favorite picture books of all time. Tomas, the son of migrant workers, loved listening to stories that his grandfather would tell in the evenings at their camp. He knew he could learn even more stories at the library, but because he was a migrant he could not get a library card.
The town librarian allowed Tomas to take books with him, checking them out to him in her own name. Tomas was thrilled and took the books back to the camp and read the stories aloud to his family.
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The town librarian allowed Tomas to take books with him, checking them out to him in her own name. Tomas was thrilled and took the books back to the camp and read the stories aloud to his family.
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Feb 01, 2009
Elizabeth
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Tomás and the Library Lady, by Pat Mora is of the books that inspired me to be a school librarian. Tomás Rivera is the child of migrant workers, who worked the fields in Texas during the winter and the fields in Iowa during in summer. A librarian in an Iowa town takes an interest in Tomás and welcomes him to the library each day, asking what he likes and finding books that appeal to him. Tomás spends only that summer in the Iowa town, but the kindness and encouragement of the library lady had
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May 03, 2010
Abigail
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Every summer, Tomás and his family would travel from their home in Texas to the corn fields of Iowa, where his parents worked as farmhands. Sitting in the shade of a tree with their grandfather, Papá Grande, on the hot afternoons, Tomás and his brother Enrique would listen to his many wonderful stories. When Tomás completed one of those stories for him, Papá Grande suggested that it was time for him to find some of his own... at the local library. And so began a wonderful summer of discovery, in
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3 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Jan 26, 2010
Dena
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This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of a boy named Tomas whose working family travels from Texas through Iowa following the crops. Tomas' enjoys listening to his grandfather tell his stories each day as they rest in the shade of the tree. One day Grandfather suggests that Tomas check out the library for some new stories. The librarian welcomes him and Tomas finds himself far away from the crops and in places only books can take you. Tomas shares his new stories with his
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Jan 15, 2012
Sharon
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I thought this book was very intriguing. Mora incorporated Spanish throughout the book very fluidly and naturally. It wasn't distracting for non-Spanish speakers and the story was very fun. Tomas is based on Tomas Rivera and his real life experiences as a child. The eagerness Tomas has and the way he finds peace and comfort in any story is inspiring. As he travels back and forth, the lessons he learned and taught stay with him. Mora developed an endearing character and a relatable story. The sto
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Feb 07, 2012
Shawn
rated it:
I think this book was a good way to introduce the endless options libraries have to offer. This book also shows hispanic kids that there authors who write books about stuff they can relate to. Going to the library can be fun and it's free. It is a place that can be taken for granted. The library lady in the story was very nice to Thomas. She made him feel comfortable and welcome. When the grandfather told Thomas to find new storis, it was a sign that he growing up and he needed to expand his ima
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Nov 30, 2008
Cynthia
rated it:
This beautiful,moving story is based on true events in the life of Tomas Rivera, who became the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside. Tomas was the son of migrant farm workers who spent winters in Texas and summers in Iowa. One summer he visited the library, where the librarian welcomed him and helped him find captivating books. Tomas spends many summer days immersed in books,until the time comes for his family to return to Texas.
I think this book would pair wel More...
I think this book would pair wel More...
May 05, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
This is a lovely and inspiring story. If not for the note about the story at the end of the book, which gives information about Tomås Rivera’s life, I’d have thought the ending of the story was sad though.
I loved the illustrations. The way color is used is wonderful, and I like the muted quality of the pictures.
I appreciated how this migrant worker boy was helped by a librarian to find so much joy in books. Both the story and illustrations do a fabulous job of showing ho More...
I loved the illustrations. The way color is used is wonderful, and I like the muted quality of the pictures.
I appreciated how this migrant worker boy was helped by a librarian to find so much joy in books. Both the story and illustrations do a fabulous job of showing ho More...
2 comments
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(2 people liked it)
May 11, 2010
Kay
rated it:
I absolutely and totally love this book. The illustrations are beautiful, as is the story. It is about how a librarian touches the life of a young boy - the son of a migrant worker.
It's based on a true story, and a biographical note is included at the end. If you ever wonder about the possibility of making a difference in a young person's life, pick up this book. It will encourage you. Who would have guessed the impact that one librarian would have on a migrant, and where it wou More...
It's based on a true story, and a biographical note is included at the end. If you ever wonder about the possibility of making a difference in a young person's life, pick up this book. It will encourage you. Who would have guessed the impact that one librarian would have on a migrant, and where it wou More...
Jul 26, 2008
Katie
rated it:
Tomás and the Library Lady is based off the life of Tomás Riviera, a child of a migrant worker family who grew up to be an educational leader. This book was the recipient of the aptly named Tomás Riviera Mexican American Children's Book Award for it's excellence in authentic Mexican American children's literature. I loved this story, and can imagine reading to elementary students of most ages. The illustrations in the book are beautiful, and the story is heartwarming.
The story It More...
The story It More...
May 07, 2010
Crystal
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I enjoyed reading it. The book's dedication was written in memory of Tomas Rivera, who loved books, and for librarians who lure us in. I appreciate that the author dedicated it to librarians. They play a very important role in the world of books with children. I like how the author also makes a point that you don't have to have money to enjoy books. As for the illustrations I found them interesting. I don't recall a book off the top of my head that I have seen illustrated quite like this. I like
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(1 person liked it)
Jun 07, 2011
Q_Donna
rated it:
This book is about Tomas, son of migrant workers who develops a relationship with the local librarian while his parents are working on a fruit farm. A great book to help introduce students to the work of librarians and the important part they can play in learning.The book is based on the real life story of Tomas Rivera, who became chancellor of the University of California at Riverside.
Winner of the Thomas Rivero Mexican American Children's Book Award
Winner of the Thomas Rivero Mexican American Children's Book Award
Sep 17, 2010
Ruth
rated it:
This is the true story of a young boy who travels from Texas to Iowa each year where his parents work in the fields. While in Iowa, a librarian helps him develop a deep fondness for stories and books. This boy grows up and eventually becomes a writer, professor, and university leader. His name is Tomas Rivera. It is an inspiring story, showing all that librarians and education can make possible.
Aug 30, 2011
Matthew
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I think this was a great children novel of showing how one can have an imagination from reading books, as Tomas did. The story also illustrates that although his family are not fluent in English Tomas can read the book and tell the story to his family. Mainly I believe that this book was very inspirational showing what effect a person can have on ones life just as the librarian did on Tomas.
Mar 07, 2010
Dolly
rated it:
This is a true story about a little boy who gained inspiration, support and knowledge from a kindly library lady. His family members were migrant farmers and they moved around a lot. But for one summer, he was able to see the wonders of reading and how great it is to spend time in a library. And that was the start of a remarkable education and a successful career that touched many student's lives.
Feb 06, 2011
A great book to inspire a love of reading in young students, I often feel like the main character in this story. Always rushing around and changing locations,, but I can always sit down with a book and be able to escape. This book would be great to read in a classroom where students have free choice of reading throughout the day.
Mar 31, 2011
Kathleen
rated it:
This book was an interesting read. It told the story of a young boy and his family that moved two times a year because they were famous. Tis book said some things in Spanish and then translated it in English. It went on to tell about the little boy, Tomas, and how he developed a love for the library.
Nov 04, 2009
Weathervane
rated it:
Charming little book. The people look somewhat stiff and robotic in a few of the illustrations, though.
Fictional kids always read the coolest books. I'd like the names of some of these. Also, are there more children's books about reading than any other subject? Hm...
Fictional kids always read the coolest books. I'd like the names of some of these. Also, are there more children's books about reading than any other subject? Hm...
Mar 26, 2009
Kara
rated it: 
It's silly to tell a story about a child who learns to love books and the library through a rather boring, ugly library book. You're better off finding a really cool, beautiful, exciting library book and let your kid learn to love the library firsthand.
Feb 10, 2012
Gina
rated it:
Grades 3-5
A wonderful book about a migrint farmer's child who falls in love with books, thanks to a kind librarian who introduces him to the world of books. I would either read this to my class or be sure to have it in my class reading nook.
A wonderful book about a migrint farmer's child who falls in love with books, thanks to a kind librarian who introduces him to the world of books. I would either read this to my class or be sure to have it in my class reading nook.
