Tomas and the Library Lady
By Pat Mora; Raul Colon (Illustrator)
(Dragonfly Books, Paperback, 9780375803499, 40pp.)
Publication Date: February 22, 2000
Other Editions of This Title: Prebound, Hardcover, Prebound
Categories: Biographical - General, School & Education, Social Issues - General
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"A gentle text and innovative artwork depict a pivotal summer in a boy's life when he and his family leave their Texas home for farm work in Iowa. One morning, while his parents pick corn, Tomás visits the imposing town library and meets a kindly librarian who gently coaxes him inside. Throughout the hot days thereafter, she offers Tomás cool drinks of water and adventurous escapes into books; on slow days he teaches her Spanish until it's time to return home to Texas: 'I have a sad word to teach you today. The word is adiós. It means good-bye.' . . . While young readers and future librarians will find this an inspiring tale, the end note gives it a real kick: the story is based on an actual migrant worker [Tomás Rivera] who became chancellor of a university--where the library now bears his name."--Publishers Weekly
Pat Mora, a Chicana educator, is a published poet and the author of several books for children.
Raul Colón was awarded the Silver Medal by the Society of Illustrators for Always My Dad, his first children's book.
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