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Tomas and the Library Lady

Author Pat Mora
Illustrated by Raul Colón
Paperback
$8.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Dragonfly Books
8"W x 10"H x 0.1"D  
On sale Feb 22, 2000 | 40 Pages | 9780375803499
Preschool - 2
Reading Level: Lexile 440L
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A Common Core Exemplar Text by an award-winning author-illustrator team

Tomás is a son of migrant workers. Every summer he and his family follow the crops north from Texas to Iowa, spending long, arduous days in the fields. At night they gather around to hear Grandfather's wonderful stories. But before long, Tomás knows all the stories by heart. "There are more stories in the library,"Papa Grande tells him.  The very next day, Tomás meets the library lady and a whole new world opens up for him. 

Based on the true story of the Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera, a child of migrant workers who went on to become the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system, this inspirational story suggests what libraries--and education--can make possible.  Raul Colón's warm, expressive paintings perfectly interweave the harsh realities of Tomás's life, the joyful imaginings he finds in books, and his special relationships with a wise grandfather and a caring librarian.  

"A gentle text and innovative artwork. . . . 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
© Cynthia Farah
An award-winning author of children’s books, poetry, and nonfiction, Pat Mora is committed to bringing together all children with books. She often speaks at conferences, universities, and schools about creative writing, leadership, and multicultural education. She also works with national organizations on Día de los niños/Día de los libros, an April 30th celebration of childhood, books, languages, and cultures.  Born in El Paso, Texas, Mora has received numerous children’s book awards. In 2002 she was honored as a "Literary Light for Children” by the Associates of the Boston Public Library and included in “100 Library Champions” during the Texas Library Association’s Centennial.  Mora has been the Carruthers Chair, Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of New Mexico; a consultant on US-Mexico youth exchanges; an administrator and museum director at her alma mater, the University of Texas at El Paso; and has taught English at all levels. The proud mother of three grown children, she divides her time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area. For more information on Pat Mora, visit her website at www.patmora.com. View titles by Pat Mora
Raul Colón View titles by Raul Colón
  • WINNER | 1997
    Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

About

A Common Core Exemplar Text by an award-winning author-illustrator team

Tomás is a son of migrant workers. Every summer he and his family follow the crops north from Texas to Iowa, spending long, arduous days in the fields. At night they gather around to hear Grandfather's wonderful stories. But before long, Tomás knows all the stories by heart. "There are more stories in the library,"Papa Grande tells him.  The very next day, Tomás meets the library lady and a whole new world opens up for him. 

Based on the true story of the Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera, a child of migrant workers who went on to become the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system, this inspirational story suggests what libraries--and education--can make possible.  Raul Colón's warm, expressive paintings perfectly interweave the harsh realities of Tomás's life, the joyful imaginings he finds in books, and his special relationships with a wise grandfather and a caring librarian.  

"A gentle text and innovative artwork. . . . 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

Author

© Cynthia Farah
An award-winning author of children’s books, poetry, and nonfiction, Pat Mora is committed to bringing together all children with books. She often speaks at conferences, universities, and schools about creative writing, leadership, and multicultural education. She also works with national organizations on Día de los niños/Día de los libros, an April 30th celebration of childhood, books, languages, and cultures.  Born in El Paso, Texas, Mora has received numerous children’s book awards. In 2002 she was honored as a "Literary Light for Children” by the Associates of the Boston Public Library and included in “100 Library Champions” during the Texas Library Association’s Centennial.  Mora has been the Carruthers Chair, Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of New Mexico; a consultant on US-Mexico youth exchanges; an administrator and museum director at her alma mater, the University of Texas at El Paso; and has taught English at all levels. The proud mother of three grown children, she divides her time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area. For more information on Pat Mora, visit her website at www.patmora.com. View titles by Pat Mora
Raul Colón View titles by Raul Colón

Awards

  • WINNER | 1997
    Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award

Additional formats

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