Too Small Tola

by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu (Illustrator)

Overview

Three delightful tales from a renowned Nigerian storyteller introduce a chapter-book heroine who is every bit as mighty as she is small.

In a trio of droll stories, award-winning author and storyteller Atinuke debuts an endearing and enduring character with plenty to prove. Tola lives in an apartment in the busy city of Lagos, Nigeria, with her sister, Moji, who is very clever; her brother, Dapo, who is very fast; and Grandmommy, who is very bossy. Tola may be small, but she’s strong enough to carry a basket brimming with groceries home from the market, and she’s clever enough to count out Grandmommy’s change. When the faucets in the apartment break, it’s Tola who brings water from the well. And when Mr. Abdul, the tailor, has an accident and needs help taking his customers’ measurements, only Tola can save the day. Atinuke’s trademark wit and charm are on full display, accompanied by delightful illustrations by Onyinye Iwu. Too Small Tola evokes the urban bustle and rich blending of cultures in Lagos through the eyes of a little girl with an outsize will—and an even bigger heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536230376
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	04/04/2023
Series:	Too Small Tola , #1
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	359,642
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	610L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

Atinuke was born in Nigeria and spent her childhood in both Africa and the United Kingdom. She is the author of the Anna Hibiscus series and Africa, Amazing Africa; Baby Goes to Market; B Is for Baby; and Catch That Chicken! Atinuke lives in Wales.

Onyinye Iwu was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and moved to England when she was thirteen. She is a designer, illustrator, and educator. Too Small Tola is her first book for children. She lives in London.

Read an Excerpt

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.

Editorial Reviews

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. . . 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.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

A young girl learns that she doesn’t have to be big to make a difference. . .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. . . An enjoyable, endearing collection.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred 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”. . . 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. . .Evoking all five senses to render contemporary Nigeria, the creators celebrate the beauty of daily life through Tola’s joy, wonder, and perseverance.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Nigerian-born children’s author Atinuke introduces a memorable new heroine in Too Small Tola. . .Atinuke is a masterful storyteller, playing with language and rhythm as she evokes Tola’s world. Every sentence is fun to read. . . Too Small Tola’s gentle morals linger with an unusually satisfying combination of inevitability and surprise. . . Onyinye Iwu renders Tola and her family in endearing and expressive images that capture their personalities perfectly. Too Small Tola will make readers eager to read more about Tola; Lagos is clearly bursting with more stories to tell.
—BookPage (starred review)

Tola, a young girl who lives in Lagos, Nigeria, with her Grandmommy, brother and sister, shares what her life is like in this #OwnVoices early chapter book. . . Atinuke's use of Nigerian words throughout, accompanied by Onyinye Iwu's illustrations, immerse readers in Nigerian culture. . . Atinuke uses child-friendly, entertaining dialogue and incorporates accessible themes such as bullying and helping others in need. Her inclusion of rounded and well-developed secondary characters also helps Tola recognize that strength might not necessarily come from the muscles, but the heart.
—Shelf Awareness (starred review)

Everyone in Tola’s apartment complex in Lagos thinks she is too small to be of any use, but in this three-chapter easy reader, the girl proves them wrong time and again. . . Tola will be relatable to any youngster who has had to prove themselves to the big kids (or grownups). . . a must have for easy reader collections in need of cultural diversity.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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. . . Throughout the story we see evidence of Tola’s tight-knit and diverse community. ­An appropriate and enjoyable beginning chapter book for young readers who are transitioning from picture books.
—School Library Journal

In this collection of three short stories, Tola is able to use her small stature, quick counting skills, and measuring skills to not only overcome adversity, but also make her community better. . . . These stories are filled with hope, with themes of overcoming challenges and gratitude. Although some readers will have a hard time understanding the conditions in which Tola lives (sharing a bed with her sister and Grandmommy, waking up to no water or power), these stories will give them insight into daily life in another part of the world, and the messages are universal.
—School Library Connection

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. . .This pleasant read will introduce readers to other lifestyles and Nigerian culture. . . Tola is likable, her family relatable, and Iwu’s cartoon illustrations will help kids puzzle out unfamiliar words
—Booklist

'Too Small Tola' has a diminutive heroine, but it’s a big charmer and treats its newly capable readers with a respect that will make them feel knowledgeable and sophisticated.
—The Wall Street Journal

You’d have to practice for a very long while to duplicate the calculated degree of heart and the humor embedded in an Atinuke title. I know Atinuke can’t keep producing these books forever, but for as long as she can, let us hope that she does.
—A Fuse #8 Production

Alive with unfamiliar, colorful words, this illustrated chapter book will broaden young readers' views of the world.
—The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

From the Publisher

★ 02/01/2021

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.)

Publishers Weekly

02/01/2021

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

School Library Journal

Listeners will love hearing Amaka Obiechie’s lively voice as she shares stories of Tola’s life in Lagos, Nigeria. Young and sweet-voiced Tola and her family live in an apartment in the bustling city. Everybody calls her “Too Small Tola” because she is so little, but a trip to the market with her stern but loving Grandmommy helps her discover that she is also mighty. Obiechie projects Tola’s pride when she finds she is strong enough to stand up for herself and others, and clever enough to help an injured tailor when he can’t bike around town to measure his customers. Obiechie’s smooth Nigerian accent and steady pacing add ambiance to the busy streets and the many characters throughout these sweet and funny stories. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2021 - AudioFile

★ 2021-01-13
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)

Kirkus Reviews