Too small Tola

Review by Booklist Review

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.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

In this winning trio of stories, Atinuke (Catch That Chicken!) introduces readers to counting whiz Tola, who lives with her family in "a run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria." Tola shares a small apartment with her brainy older sister Moji, her soccer star older brother Dapo, and her industrious ("very-very bossy") grandmother, who is raising the children while their father works abroad. Though "everybody calls her Too Small Tola, which makes her feel too-too small," Tola is eager to prove herself. Detailed grayscale illustrations by Iwu accompany the text, enlivening the characters alongside Atinuke's quick conversational text. Though class dynamics are prominent in Tola's life, the stories continually affirm the value of community care: when a neighbor runs out of diapers, Tola brings back more from the market, despite her already heavy basket; when an injury jeopardizes the neighborhood tailor's work during the Eid festival and Easter celebrations, Tola and Dapo travel through the city to collect measurements. Evoking all five senses to render contemporary Nigeria, the creators celebrate the beauty of daily life through Tola's joy, wonder, and perseverance. Ages 7--9. (Mar.)

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Review by School Library Journal Review

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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Review by Horn Book Review

Tola is small, but she is mighty. In three episodic chapters, Tola uses her not-inconsequential perseverance to help her grandmother, other family members, and those in her wider Lagos community. As she does in her chapter books about Anna Hibiscus (Welcome Home, Anna Hibiscus!; You're Amazing, Anna Hibiscus!, both rev. 11/17; and others), Atinuke provides child-friendly particulars that create a vivid picture of the setting (and just as in the Anna Hibiscus titles, continually re-sets the scene: "Tola lives in a run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria"). When the water is not working in their apartment building, Tola and her siblings must fill jerry cans at a nearby tap, lining up with their neighbors before school. When Abdul the tailor visits Tola's family to measure them for their matching Easter outfits ("Easter and Eid do not often happen at the same time, and celebrations are all anybody is talking about"), he rides his bicycle with his sewing machine strapped on the back. Atinuke's writing is rich with imagery and replicates the music and rhythm of Tola's daily life. The stories are copiously illustrated with line drawings of a round-faced, appealingly welcoming protagonist. The friendly format, universal emotional truths, helpful illustrations, and strong writing work together to immerse young readers in Tola's world. Maeve Visser Knoth March/April 2021 p.80(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Tola lives in a run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria. She lives with her sister, Moji, who is very clever; her brother, Dapo, who is very fast; and Grandmommy, who is very-very bossy. Tola is the youngest in her family. And the smallest. And everybody calls her Too Small Tola, which makes her feel too-too small. "Tola!" shouts Grandmommy. "O-ya, shopping! Let's go!" Tola looks at Grandmommy in surprise. Shopping isn't her job! She is far too small to carry shopping! "Why are you standing there looking at me?" asks Grandmommy. "Hurry up!" "But . . ." Tola starts to argue. She looks at her sister, Moji. Moji is big. Big enough to carry a mammy-wagon load of shopping. But Moji is sitting at her borrowed computer doing her homework. She is wearing one of her A+ looks of concentration. Tola sighs. Everybody knows not to get in Moji's way when she is wearing that look. What about her brother, Dapo? Dapo is fast. He could reach the market faster than an okada taxi. But through the open window, carried on air as hot as pepper soup, come the sounds of boys playing football. "Goal!" the boys roar. Then they start to chant, "Da-po! Da-po! Da-po!" Tola sighs again. Everybody knows that Dapo is fantastic at football -- and useless at everything else. Grandmommy says his tactics for avoiding work are as good as his football tactics. Tola looks at Grandmommy. She is wearing one of her what-did-I-tell-you looks. "Just hurry up, Tola," she says. Tola hurries to put the big shopping basket on her head. She does not want to upset Grandmommy. If Grandmommy is upset, soon everybody will be upset. Grandmommy passes on her moods faster than mosquitoes pass on malaria. Moji looks up from the computer screen. "Too Small Tola!" She laughs. "You will fall down when that basket is full!" Tola tightens her eyes at Moji. "Don't mind her," Grandmommy says. "I need you to count the change so that nobody cheats me. Nobody can count faster than you." Grandmommy turns back to Moji. "If Tola is too small, you want to carry the basket for her?" she asks. Moji turns back to the computer screen. Her A+ look deepens. Grandmommy shakes her head, but she says nothing. Tola follows Grandmommy out of the apartment, then pokes her head back inside. "Lazy-lazy Moji!" she shouts, and she closes the door quickly. Tola knows that will make Moji as angry as a soldier ant. Grandmommy tiptoes past the other doors. Tola tiptoes behind her. But as soon as they pass the door of Mama Business, it opens. Mama Business greets them. "Good morning! Good morning! Where are you going?" "Good morning, Mama Business," Grandmommy says. Grandmommy hurries down the dusty concrete steps. Tola hurries behind her. "You are going to the market?" Mama Business calls. Grandmommy races out of the crumbling block of apartments. "Now that Mama Mind-Your-Own-Business has seen us, soon everybody will know where we are going." Dapo looks up from his game. "Too Small Tola!" he shouts. "That basket is bigger than you!" Tola's eyes tighten again. "Don't mind him," Grandmommy says. She shouts to Dapo, "Do you want to carry it?" Dapo dribbles the ball very quickly. Grandmommy sucks her teeth. "Wait until I return!" Grandmommy shouts after him. "Then you will work!" Dapo pretends not to hear. But Tola can see that he now looks nervous, nervous enough to miss the ball. Good, Tola thinks. Excerpted from Too Small Tola by Atinuke All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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