Onyinye Iwu

Squee!
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Ah, this lived up to my expectations, even my highest hopes. Not only is this a wonderful story, but it's illuminating for all ages. How much do you know about the megacity of Lagos? About the mix of 21st century technology and 19th century plumbing? About finding hope & joy in what even the poor in America would consider crushing adversity? Not to mention income inequality etc.

But still, emphasis is on the joy, love, neighborliness, family ties.

I eagerly look forward to the show more sequel.

Oh, and more by the illustrator, too, please.
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Reread in prep. for sequels. Oh, yes, a delightful & funny & fascinating read. show less

This collection of three stories ("Too Small Tola," "Small But Mighty," and "Easter and Eid") are set in and around Tola's "run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria." In the first story, Tola helps Grandmommy go shopping and carry the heavy baskets back from the market - with lots of stops to rest along the way. "You are small," Grandmommy tells Tola, "but you are strong, like me."

In the second story, the family's apartment block does not have show more electricity or running water, so Tola and her two older siblings - sister Moji and brother Dapo - have to fill jerry cans at the pump and lug them back upstairs, risking being late for school. When a big boy trips Tola so her water spills, Mrs. Shaky-Shaky, who Tola helped down the stairs, trips him in return, and all the women in line support them; Tola makes it to school in time for her favorite subject, math.

In the third story, everyone is looking forward to the celebrations of Easter and Eid, which fall on the same day this year. Mr. Abdul, the tailor in Tola's building, makes everyone's new clothes, but a broken leg prevents him from riding his bicycle around to take measurements and pick up fabric. Tola and Dapo team up to do it for him; in return for their good deed, Dapo gets stronger leg muscles and Tola gets ruffles on her Easter dress.

Each story stands alone; all together, they're a delightful collection about a "small but mighty" girl and her close-knit family and community of Christians and Muslims. For this non-Nigerian reader, Too Small Tola serves as a clear window into everyday life in a country across the globe. show less

I enjoyed this book. I think it is very empowering especially for young girls who might have something working against them like their size, religion, ethnicity and many other factors. This book focuses on a young Nigerian girl who is very small for her size but she is very determined. I think this book is for the intermediate age

Tola may be small, but she has a big heart and curious mind. I loved learning about life in Lagos, Nigeria, where Tola lives with her Grandmother, brother and sister. Her father is in England, working, because he can earn more money there, which provides a small apartment for his mother and children. When the electricity goes out, so does the water. Tola and her siblings must carry water in canisters up many floors, before school starts. Tola doesn't want to miss school because she loves show more math. She works hard to carry water, than bathe quickly in a small tub before running to catch the bus to school. Though her life may seem hard to people in the U.S., Tola is a happy child, and goes out of her way to help her neighbors. She uses her math skills to assist Mr. Abdul, the clothing maker, when he breaks his leg. show less