Too Small Tola Gets Tough (Too Small Tola #3)
by Atinuke (Author) Onyinwe Iwu (Illustrator)
It's a strange, scary time for Too Small Tola when a new virus separates her family, but Atinuke's small-but-mighty heroine proves once again how wise, kind, and resourceful she can be.
In ordinary times, Tola lives in an apartment in Lagos, Nigeria, with her clever sister, Moji; her sporty brother, Dapo; and bossy Grandmommy. Tola is so happy! But news of a new virus--and a lockdown, too--sends Moji away in one direction and Dapo in another.
Then, when Grandmommy can no longer go out to work, Tola goes instead. She works for the wealthy Diamond family and makes new friends among the household staff. But even the wealthy have problems--and only Too Small Tola is big enough to rise to solve them.
Brimming with genuine emotion and ultimately reassuring, Atinuke's third book to feature the brave and endearing Tola, illustrated with zeal by Onyinye Iwu, shines with the light of resilience and hope.
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Kirkus
A young Nigerian girl grapples with the impact of a global pandemic. . . . The author empathetically portrays the harsh reality some populations faced during quarantine, along with the disparity between wealthy and low-income people, in a way that will be manageable for young readers. . . . Remarkable and timely.
School Library Journal
Gr 2-4--In this series addition, Tola and her family face the challenges of COVID-19. The Nigerian girl lives in a run-down room in Lagos with her Grandmommy, braniac sister Moji, and mechanic brother Dapo. One day, the talk turns to countries like London having their citizens lockdown in their home. Grandmommy feels like that this would not happen in Nigeria because of people needing to work desperately to survive. Soon enough, the lockdown reaches Lagos, and citizens are told by the police to remain at home. Moji's teacher comes to collect her so she can stay with her and keep up with schoolwork. Dapo's boss also comes to get him so he can continue to work on cars. Once both her siblings leave, Tola and Grandmommy grow despondent. As Tola and Grandmommy start to run out of food and money, their neighbor Mr. Abdul suggests Tola go work for a wealthy family, the Diamonds, who need a house girl. Tola begins to adapt to her job. She happens to see that the receipts for the Diamonds's generator oil don't add up, and informs Mr. Diamond. He is so happy that Tola stopped him from being robbed that he gives her enough money for three years of Grandmommy's rent, and the girl gets to finally reunite with her beloved family. Atinuke's stories interweave with Iwu's charming illustrations so effortlessly that readers will be enthralled by the Tola's timely adventures. VERDICT This gives readers and their families a big message of hope, strength, and triumph in this series addition about COVID-19.
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV030010 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Africa
