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Too Small Tola Gets Tough

Book Resume

for Too Small Tola Gets Tough by Atinuke and Onyinye Iwu

Professional book information and credentials for Too Small Tola Gets Tough.

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In this third installment about Tola’s life with her siblings and Grandmommy ...read more

  • Kirkus:
  • Ages 7 - 9
  • School Library Journal:
  • Grades 2 - 4
  • TeachingBooks:*
  • Grades 1-4
  • Cultural Experience:
  • African
  • Women / Girls
  • Genre:
  • Realistic Fiction
  • Year Published:
  • 2023

The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.

Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).

From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

In this third installment about Tola’s life with her siblings and Grandmommy in Lagos, Nigeria, Tola’s community navigates the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first chapter, Tola (Black) has a breakthrough realization: “Multiplication and division are the same! … But backward!” The next morning, a lockdown is implemented to slow the spread of a new “killer illness.” Tola’s sister will stay with her teacher, who has a computer she can use for her studies; her brother will stay with his boss, so he can continue to work; Tola will stay with Grandmommy. In chapter two, Tola watches their food supplies diminish day by day. Fortunately, their neighbor finds Tola a job as a housegirl for Mr. and Mrs. Diamond, a wealthy celebrity couple. Though it’s a difficult transition, Tola quickly establishes herself as a hard worker. In the final chapter, Tola’s newfound math skills come into play when she exposes the diesel fuel provider’s practice of overcharging the Diamond household. The Diamonds give Tola a cash bonus for her good work, and she can return home with Grandmommy, giving the story a hopeful ending after a series of realistic challenges. Atinuke pens captivating stories with emotional honesty, here tackling the impact of the pandemic and economic disparity while keeping the focus on Tola’s daily life. (Ages 7-9)

CCBC Choices 2024 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2024. Used with permission.

From Kirkus

February 15, 2023
A young Nigerian girl grapples with the impact of a global pandemic. While the run-down apartments Tola lives in may not look like much, they are home to her family--Grandmommy, brother Dapo, and sister Moji. Dapo, 15, has a job as a mechanic that brings in so much money that Grandmommy doesn't have to sell groundnuts anymore. Moji is focused on the assignments she has to complete for her fancy school, while Tola is excited to show off her excellent math skills now that she attends school, too. Then an unexpected sickness sweeps the globe. Initially, Tola and her community believe it won't reach them, but then things shut down. Moji's teacher invites her to stay at her home so that she may continue her education during the lockdown. Then Dapo's employer sends for him so that he can continue earning money. Finally, Tola and Grandmommy are left alone, but supplies are running low. Tola begins work as a house girl for a notable Nigerian family, whom she unexpectedly helps by using her impressive math abilities. Each new chapter begins with a brief summary of what came before, bridging the tales into a cohesive unit. 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. The plain language and realistic illustrations convey a whirlwind of emotions. Remarkable and timely. (Fiction. 7-9)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From School Library Journal

January 1, 2023

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.

Too Small Tola Gets Tough was selected by educational and library professionals to be included on the following state/provincial reading lists.

United States Lists (1)

Onyinye Iwu on creating Too Small Tola Gets Tough:

This primary source recording with Atinuke was created to provide readers insights directly from the book's creator into the backstory and making of this book.

Listen to this recording on TeachingBooks

Citation: Iwu, Onyinye. "Meet-the-Author Recording | Too Small Tola Gets Tough." TeachingBooks, https://k12.teachingbooks.net/bookResume/t/88836. Accessed 03 February, 2025.

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This Book Resume for Too Small Tola Gets Tough is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.

*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.

Retrieved from TeachingBooks on February 03, 2025. © 2001-2025 TeachingBooks.net, LLC. All rights reserved by rights holders.