Tomas and the Library Lady

Tomas 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, Tomas knows all the stories by heart. "There are more stories in the library,"Papa Grandetells him. The very next day, Tomas 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 Tomas 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 Colon's warm, expressive paintings perfectly interweave the harsh realities of Tomas's life, the joyful imaginings he finds in books, and his special relationships with a wise grandfather and a caring librarian.

Pat Mora, a Chicana educator, is a published poet and the author of several books for children.<br><br>Raul Colón was awarded the Silver Medal by the Society of Illustrators for Always My Dad, his first children's book.<br><br><br><i>From the Trade Paperback edition.</i>