Tomás and the Library Lady
Written by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Raul Colón
About
the Book
Tomás travels with his
family of migrant laborers from his home in Texas to Iowa, where he enters the
local library, is befriended by the librarian and finds wonderful stories in
the books which he shares with his family.
As the summer ends, Tomás must say adiós to the librarian, who gives him
a gift--a book.
About
the Author
Pat Mora is an award-winning author of children's books, poetry, and nonfiction, who is committed to creative writing and multicultural education, often speaking at conferences and schools. Originally from El Paso, she now lives in Santa Fe, NM and Cincinnati, OH. She has received the 2000 Ohioana Award in Children’s Literature, the 1998 Book Publishers of Texas Award for Best Book for Children or Young People, and the Tomás Rivera Book Award. She works with national organizations on Día de los niños/Día de los libros, a day of children and books celebrated on April 30.
About the Illustrator
Raul Colon is an American artist and illustrator who lives in New York. Working in watercolor, color pencil, and lithograph pencil, Colon texturizes his illustrations through scratching, tearing, and peeling techniques. . His work ranges from illustrations to puppet design and short films. His work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, Redbook, and many children's books. He received the Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators.
The following activities are designed to introduce a 6th grade ESL Newcomers class to the school library.
Before Reading Activity
Find Someone Who…
Using the handout, students interview others in the group to find out what they have in common with the characters in the story.
After Reading Activities
I Have, Who Has Game
Cut the cards apart and give one card to each of twelve students. The student who has the card with *** reads the “Who Has” question from the card. The student holding the card with the answer reads “I Have” and then the answer. Then the student reads the “Who Has” question from the card. The game continues until all cards have been read. (p65, Polette)
Venn Diagram
Using the Venn Diagram, children compare themselves to Tomás.
Internet Activity
Use the handout sheet to help children use the online OPAC to find two books to check out.
Find Someone
Who
For each numbered item, find someone in your group who fits that description and fill in their name.
Find Someone Who…
1.
Has traveled to a state other than Texas.
_________________________________________________________________
2.
Has lived in the same country, state or city as you, other
than Dallas, Texas, USA.
_________________________________________________________________
3.
Has one brother.
_________________________________________________________________
4.
Has a grandfather who tells stories.
_________________________________________________________________
5.
Has been to a Public
Library.
_________________________________________________________________
6.
Likes dinosaurs.
__________________________________________________________________
I Have Tomas gave the library lady some pan dulce, sweet bread,
from his mother. Who Has What did the library lady give to Tomas to read in the
car? I Have Tomas taught the library lady to speak Spanish. Who Has What did Tomas give the library lady on the day he had
to return to Texas? I Have When Tomas left the library, he took 2 library books
with him. Who Has What did Tomas look for at the town dump? I Have Tomas looked for books, and put them in the sun to take
away the smell. Who Has What did Tomas do for the library lady? I Have Papa Grande told Tomas to go to the library to learn
more stories to teach them. Who Has When the library lady asked Tomas what he wanted to
read, what did he say? I Have Tomas told the library lady he wanted to read about
tigers and dinosaurs. Who Has When Tomas left the library, what did he take with him? I Have Tomas’s family went to Iowa to pick corn. Who Has What did Papa Grande do when Tomas and Enrique sat under
the tree? I Have Papa Grande told them stories in Spanish. Who Has Why did Papa Grande tell Tomas to go to the library? I Have Tomas’s family was driving to the state of Iowa. Who Has Who are the other members of Tomas’s family? I Have The other members of Tomas’s family are Papa, Mama, Papa
Grande, and his little brother Enrique. Who Has Why did Tomas’s family go to Iowa? I Have Tomas’s own house was in the state of Texas. Who Has Where was Tomas’s family driving to? I Have The library lady gave Tomas a book. *** Who Has Where was Tomas’s own house?
I Have, Who Has Game Cards
Venn Diagram
Compare yourself and Tomás.
How are you alike?
How are you different?
About Me About Tomas
Finish these sentences.
The best thing that is the same about Tomás and me is ______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
The best thing about Tomás that is different than me is ______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
The best thing about me that is different from Tomás is ______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Internet Activity
Tomás wanted to read books about Tigers and Dinosaurs. What do you want to read books about?
In the boxes below, write down one animal that you want to read about.
Go to the computers at the front of the library.
Type the animal word into the search field. Click on Subject.
From the list, find a book that has a Call Number that begins with FIC. Make sure you pick one that is on the SHELVES.
Write FIC and the three letters that appear under FIC into the box below.
Now, find a book that has a Call Number that begins with numbers and write them in the box below.
Go to the bookshelves and find each book.
When you find the books, bring them to the circulation desk so this Library Lady can check them out to you.