Too Small Tola by Atinuke

Atinuke has crafted another gem. A small story about a small girl set in a city and country possibly very unfamiliar to most readers. A small story with a HUGE heart. 

"Tola lives in a run-down block of flats 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 Grandmummy who is very-very bossy."

"Sometimes the electricity words. And sometimes it does not. Sometimes the water runs. And sometimes it does not. Once the lift worked. And now it definitely does not."

There are three short stories in Too Small Tola. All of them would make a terrific class read aloud for a Grade One or Grade Two class but I especially love the final story where little Tola takes on a big responsibility.  Easter is coming and it is nearly the end of Ramadan. People are preparing for the festival of Eid which this year coincides with Easter. Tola and her neighbours do not have much money but they always have new clothes made to wear for Easter Sunday. Tola may be small but she loves maths and she loves numbers and she is skilled with measuring. Mr Abdul, the local tailor, has a bad bicycle accident. Tola, with help from her brother Dapo, take over riding around the city collecting orders and taking those all important measurements. Mr Abdul is a wonderful man. He knows just how to make every one feel terrific even Dapo who is at first very reluctant to help. 

Too Small Tola is the first book in a planned series.  

The setting for Too Small Tola is Nigeria. Kids Book A Day blogger Janet Dawson talked about this book today and she made the comment:

 I was really hoping for a bit of backmatter on Lagos and Nigeria–at least a map.

So I found some maps:

Too Small Tola is a wonderfully warm read. Warm, heartfelt and super lovely. What a brilliant start to a brand new series! My Book Corner

this is a smashing chapter book for newly confident readers. Red Reading Hub

Through the young girl’s experiences, children will learn about life in Lagos, from the bumper-to-bumper traffic on hot, dusty roads to the stark contrast between rich and poor. Readers will also identify with Tola’s universal concerns, such as sibling tensions and facing up to bullies. Book Trust

Can I suggest you visit your school library today to look for other books by Atinuke. These are books that should be part of every primary school library and they should be shared widely.

Shock Monday by Gillian Bradshaw illustrated by David Cox

Tuesday Treasure

This book is just perfect to share and discuss on such a day 

(Walk Safely to School Day). 

We had fun deciding what Tom and his friend could 

be saying to each other in the illustration on the cover.  

Kinderbookboard

I love the idea of using picture books to support class work especially incidental topics such as Walk Safely to School day.  Shock Monday is the perfect book (and perhaps it is the ONLY book) that teachers can use to promote discussion with younger children about the benefits of walking to school.

It is Monday. Mum declares they will all walk to school - Tom, his sister Miriam and Mum. Why? The car is not broken. Mum explains walking saves petrol, cuts down on pollution and gives everyone a chance to exercise. But this is just the start.

"Breathe the air,' commanded Mum.

Really.

What did she think we were breathing?"

Tom is not so sure. His bag is heavy and there is a small hill to climb. As the journey continues Tom meets a boy from his school called Wan Hing and the pair chat and walk together. Tom has made a new friend. Then Tom begins to notice is surroundings. He sees birds such as rozellas and cuckoo shrikes. He also sees poppies like the ones from Remembrance day. Suddenly they are at the school crossing. Time for mum to say goodbye.

"I thought, 'No no kisses.

My friends are around.'

You know how it is.

But she did.

It was Shock Monday all right!"

Shock Monday was published in 1999 and so it is out of print but I would urge school libraries to hold onto this book and share it with teachers when they focus on Walk Safely to School Day which is usually held in May in Australia. In the UK this initiative is called Living Streets. Here is a short video where you can read comments by children about the benefits of walking to school. You could also link this book with other themes such as mindfulness, starting school and days of the week.

Other books about walking and observing the world are I Went Walking by Sue Williams (for preschool), The Listening Walk (video here) and My little world by Julia Cooke.

One more book that would be fun to use for this topic is the tall tale by Jill Murphy On the Way Home. This is a book which makes an excellent writing stimulus. Here are two cover designs.