Tia Lola Stories: How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay and How Tia Lola Learned to Teach

by Julia Alvarez

HOW TÍA LOLA CAME TO VISIT STAY
When Miguel’s Tía Lola comes from the Dominican Republic to Vermont to help out his mami, Miguel is worried that his unusual aunt will make it even more difficult to make new friends. It’s been hard enough moving from New York City and leaving Papi behind. Sometimes he wishes Tía Lola would go back to the island. But then he wouldn’t have the treats she’s putting in his lunch box, which he’s sure helped him make the baseball team. And she really needs his help to learn English. So Miguel changes his wish to a new one, and he finally even figures out a clever way to make it come true.

HOW TÍA LOLA LEARNED TO TEACH
Tía Lola has been invited to teach Spanish at her niece and nephew’s elementary school. But Miguel wants nothing to do with the arrangement. On the other hand, Miguel’s little sister, Juanita, can’t wait to introduce her colorfully dressed aunt to all her friends at school—that is, if she can stop getting distracted long enough. Before long, Tía Lola is organizing a Spanish treasure hunt and a Carnaval fiesta at school. Will Miguel be willing to join the fun? Will Juanita get her head out of the clouds and lead her classmates to victory in the treasure hunt?

Genres: Audiobook, Childrens, Spanish Literature

Audio CD

First published October 12, 2010

About the author

Julia Alvarez left the Dominican Republic for the United States in 1960 at the age of ten. She is the author of six novels, three books of nonfiction, three collections of poetry, and eleven books for children and young adults. She has taught and mentored writers in schools and communities across America and, until her retirement in 2016, was a writer-in-residence at Middlebury College. Her work has garnered wide recognition, including a Latina Leader Award in Literature from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the Hispanic Heritage Award in Literature, the Woman of the Year by Latina magazine, and inclusion in the New York Public Library’s program “The Hand of the Poet: Original Manuscripts by 100 Masters, from John Donne to Julia Alvarez.” In the Time of the Butterflies, with over one million copies in print, was selected by the National Endowment for the Arts for its national Big Read program, and in 2013 President Obama awarded Alvarez the National Medal of Arts in recognition of her extraordinary storytelling.

Photo copyright by Brandon Cruz González
EL VOCERO DE PUERTO RICO

Reviews

[Aura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful set of two novels in English with some Spanish about Tia Lola. She is an older aunt who comes to Vermont from the Dominican Republic to help out her younger sister take care of the kids while she is at work. Tia Lola is funny, happy and wise. She has a popular refrain for every occasion. Even though she is reluctant to learn English, she makes the effort because it is necessary when you live in a different country. I love Tia Lola and this endearing novel about divorce, baseball, culture and the difficulties of learning another language. Five enthusiastic stars.

[Cheryl Meibos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been listening to this in Spanish in the car to and from work. The narration is excellent.
The narrator changes the voices for each character and adds personality with the voice inflections.

[Amaya Maitet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a child. Now that I’m a tía, I always find myself in Tía Lola.

My students love this series too!

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a very sweet book about a Latino family who struggles with some of life's challenges but is carried through by close family relationships and the bond of love between them.

After a divorce, Miguel, his sister and mom must move from New York to Vermont Tia Lola, a larger-than-life aunt, comes from the Dominican Republic to help out. At first, the kids are reluctant to have this relative stranger in their household, but they discover that she is a breath of fresh air who brings joy into their home. There are sequels available. I am not overly compelled to read them, although the character of Tia Lola is probably lively enough to carry through to other tales. I am ordering this first copy for my library to see if the girls take to the story before considering the sequels.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a compilation of the first two Tia Lola books. When Miguel and Juanita's parents divorce, they relocate to Vermont with their mother. Since she's working full time and they no longer have relatives living close by to help care for the kids, Tia Lola is asked to come from the Dominican Republic to stay with them. She doesn't speak much English, and Miguel and Nita only know a little Spanish, so at first it's hard to communicate. But Tia Lola is full of laughter and light, and she makes a huge difference, not only to the family, but to the whole town.

This is a great multicultural title. Not too long, but full of lots of stories and sayings, and with a lot of Spanish introduced throughout the story. I very much enjoyed the audio book version.

[Erasmo Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all four books in the TIA LOLA series by Julia Alvarez and interviewed her for an AARP magazine feature story. What I loved about the books were how real the families were. Alvarez told me, "You hear all Latinos are so happy and all the generations live together and we're these perfect little families." But in these books life is a bit messier and real.

You can find the full story online: TIA LOLA FOR ALL AGES

[Catharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the two stories I felt that how Tia Lola caame to stay was really charming. How Tia Lola learned to teach was still good, but I probably would rate it closer to three stars. Certainly the characters are engaging and its nice to have immigrants as central characters though the story line itself is less realistic and more fun and simplistic.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good children's stories. Miguel is trying to adjust to his parents divorce and the move from New York to Vermont. Just when he thinks he's fitting in he Tia Lola from the Dominican Republic moves in. This is just one more thing that makes him different from everyone else. Little does he know the effect Tia Lola will have on everyone.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's funny how we are drawn to books by their covers. My library has the old cover for the first book and I never would have picked it up were it not for the school bus cover of Teach book. (Even knowing they are supposed to be good and Julia Alvarez is a name known to me - i just don't like that cover!) As it is I'm gonna listen to these both - I'm enjoying the reader so far!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed hearing this book in Spanish.

[Reving · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://revingsblog.blogspot.com/2018...

[Amanda Schwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rereading this one...

The best way I know to describe this series is a Dominican Amelia Bedelia. It's a beautiful and humorous blend of culture and language.

I especially love the proverbs that tie the chapters of book #2 together... An opportunity to learn life lessons AND Spanish.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. First of all, I have enjoyed all the books that I have read by Julia Alvarez. Her family escaped from the Dominican Republic during the era when Trujillo governed. This was a story about “Tia Lola”. I found it to be delightful.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t realize when I downloaded that it’s children’s lit, but no worries; I enjoy well-written children’s lit.

The first story 3.5 stars, but the second one 3 stars (not as good).