Reviews

Too Small Tola by Atinuke

sigalwilnai's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

jillcd's review

4.0

Tola is small, adorable, and determined. Readers will love this spunky kind character.
This would make a wonderful read aloud for grades 1-3 to learn about culture in Nigeria.

awhipp17's review

adventurous funny hopeful informative lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

this was a short and sweet book with three vignettes about Tola, a little girl living in a poor part of Lagos, Nigeria. we see the daily life of someone living in her area. we see her good attitude to the challenges she faces and friends she meets along the way as she stays true to herself. it shows you a bit of Nigerian culture in a subtle way. it can be a fun, easy book for any child, or it can be for a child with Nigerian roots learning about their country of ancestry, or it could inform a child who does not know about Nigeria. 

dominicangirl's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

jaimebz's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

duobond's review

challenging funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

jodil's review

4.0

Such a cute collection of three stories that teach Tola being small does not mean she cannot also be strong, or helpful, or brave!

librarydosebykristy's review

4.0

Such charming little tales !

erine's review

5.0

Simply splendid. A short novel in three stories about capital C Community. Tola helps her Grandmommy carry the groceries, and realizes the serendipitous benefits of hard work. In the second story Tola and Mrs. Shaky-Shaky help each other out and then stand up to bullies together. The final story is a sweet neighborhood mutual aid tale set during Easter and Eid.

Just lovely from beginning to end.

readitcourt's review

4.0

This book is so sweet! Like made me cry from sweetness sweet. Tola lives with her grandmother and her two older siblings in a crumbling apartment in Lagos, Nigeria. She is small (Too Small!) but strong and feisty. This book is really three short stories about Tola and her adventures. My favorite was the story about getting ready for Easter and Eid and how Tola helps their neighbor the tailor after he is hurt. You get to see all different kinds of people who live in Lagos all through the eyes of Tola. These stories do not sugarcoat what life is like but this also isn’t written to be sad. These stories are funny and heartfelt and would be great as read aloud for early chapter book readers.