Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls

by Atinuke Narrated by Mutiyat Ade-Salu

Overview

"Too Small Tola lives in an apartment with her clever sister, Moji; her big brother, Dapo; and Grandmommy, who is very bossy. In the first of three endearing new adventures, Tola is sized just right to wriggle under the bed and rescue Grandmommy's prized possession when it goes missing. Her savvy and math skills save the day when Grandmommy gets sick, and when the family can't afford new clothes, industrious Tola finds a way-with a little help from Grandmommy-to be just as fine as the three fine girls she so greatly admires. Acclaimed storyteller Atinuke's captivating wit evokes an authentic and close-knit urban community and the vibrant energy of Lagos, Nigeria, through the eyes of a tiny but resolute heroine with something to teach us all."

Editorial Reviews

DECEMBER 2022 - AudioFile

Just as Tola is small but mighty, these short stories are bursting with heart. Narrator Mutiyat Ade-Salu’s bright tone conveys the joy and strength of Tola as she gets into mischief while home alone with her siblings, goes to work when her grandmother gets malaria, and learns how she can be fine like the wealthier girls she sees. Ade-Salu uses an American accent for the narrative and Nigerian accents for the dialogue to reflect the story’s setting, the megacity of Lagos. Though Tola’s life has its troubles, she perseveres with help from her community and family. Ade-Salu's melodious voice keeps the stories fun and well aimed at younger elementary kids even when their topics become serious. This second Tola collection is an excellent family listening experience. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

This poignant book conveys great warmth and familial love despite the characters’ tenuous circumstances. Tola is an endearing and utterly relatable protagonist. The tale uses colloquialisms and references that will make Nigerian readers feel at home. . . . Mighty fine!
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Atinuke uses her powerful storyteller’s voice to create a vivid picture of a strong, loving matriarch; a family surrounded by supportive friends; and Tola, an irresistible heroine who does what she can to help. With large type, plenty of white space on the page, and energetic line drawings throughout, the book is approachable for many young readers, who will be well rewarded for their efforts.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

It’s impossible not to love Atinuke’s little protagonist, who never lets her small size get in the way of her big personality or dreams. The frequent grayscale chapter illustrations will help readers who may be unfamiliar with aspects of Tola’s Nigerian life and culture. A great read-alike for Juana & Lucas fans, the Too Small Tola series is a wonderful addition to early-chapter-book collections.
—Booklist

Elementary readers will relate to Tola’s interactions with her family as they learn about Nigerian culture. . . an entertaining tale about determination and family. A good choice for fans of the author’s previous 'Tola' titles; readers will not be disappointed with this pleasant new installment.
—School Library Journal

Tola and her family are very likable and have a believable relationship where you can tell they love each other even when they are not getting along. . . gives a clear picture of what it can be like to live in poverty without being too graphic for young readers.
—School Library Connection

School Library Journal

09/01/2022

Gr 2–4—It can be a challenge being the youngest of three; luckily Tola has enough spunk and ingenuity to face any problem that comes her way. Tola lives with her older sister, Moji; brother, Dapo; and grandmother in Lagos, Nigeria. This title features three chapters with Tola working through three separate problems. In the first story, Dapo decides to play soccer inside, which is against the rules. The ball gets out of control, causing Grandma's earrings—family heirlooms—to go missing; the kids are terrified that they are lost forever. When Grandma gets too sick to work in the second story, the children have to figure out a way to collaborate so they can support the family. Tola, in the final tale, becomes jealous of children in her town who are more affluent and learns an important lesson about herself and what is important in her life. Elementary readers will relate to Tola's interactions with her family as they learn about Nigerian culture. Black-and-white illustrations add to the story and will aid readers in comprehension. The impact of sibling conflicts will ring true with many. The moral of each tale is obvious, the endings can be pat, yet beginning readers will be relieved and happy for Tola's sake. Some Nigerian vocabulary is used, but not all is defined. This is an entertaining tale about determination and family. VERDICT A good choice for fans of the author's previous "Tola" titles; readers will not be disappointed with this pleasant new installment.—Elena Schuck

DECEMBER 2022 - AudioFile

Just as Tola is small but mighty, these short stories are bursting with heart. Narrator Mutiyat Ade-Salu’s bright tone conveys the joy and strength of Tola as she gets into mischief while home alone with her siblings, goes to work when her grandmother gets malaria, and learns how she can be fine like the wealthier girls she sees. Ade-Salu uses an American accent for the narrative and Nigerian accents for the dialogue to reflect the story’s setting, the megacity of Lagos. Though Tola’s life has its troubles, she perseveres with help from her community and family. Ade-Salu's melodious voice keeps the stories fun and well aimed at younger elementary kids even when their topics become serious. This second Tola collection is an excellent family listening experience. S.T.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2022-08-17
In this follow-up to Too Small Tola (2021), a Nigerian girl perseveres—and thrives—despite setbacks.

Over three chapters, Tola, the youngest of a family consisting of sister Moji, brother Dapo, and Grandmommy, confronts various problems. “Tola Saves the Day” sees the protagonist trying to get her quarrelsome siblings to do their fair share of cleaning rice, their Saturday chore. In “Tola Takes Control,” Tola assumes more responsibility in the household after Grandmommy falls ill from malaria. Tola goes to buy medicine, and the family, led by Tola, sells groundnuts, just like Grandmommy does, so they can afford food. In the final chapter, “Tola and the Three Fine Girls,” Tola feels jealous when she sees rich children shopping for luxuries but learns that having money and expensive things doesn’t necessarily make one happy. From the family’s inability to afford clean rice to their decision to use Grandmommy’s savings to buy medicine (for 5,000 naira, about US$12), this poignant book conveys great warmth and familial love despite the characters’ tenuous circumstances. Tola is an endearing and utterly relatable protagonist. The tale uses colloquialisms and references that will make Nigerian readers feel at home. Cartoon images full of whimsy bring to life this close-knit family.

Mighty fine! (Fiction. 7-9)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175008204
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	09/27/2022
Series:	Too Small Tola , #2
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

Read an Excerpt

Tola Saves the Day

Tola lives in a run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria. Tola’s sister, Moji, is much cleverer than Tola. Tola’s brother, Dapo, is much faster than Tola. And even short-short Grandmommy is taller than Tola. Which makes Tola feel so small-o!
   It is a rainy Saturday. There is no school on Saturday. Tola, Moji, and Dapo are all at home.
   But Grandmommy is not at home. Grandmommy is out selling groundnuts by the side of the road. That is her job. And her job does not stop on Saturday. Her job stops only on Sunday, for church.
    In church Grandmommy wears her most precious items—gold dangly earrings that are kept on the shelf beside her bed. Those earrings were worn by Grandmommy’s own mother and her grandmother and her great-grandmother. When she wears them, Grandmommy recites all their names, thanking them for giving her strength to carry on.
   Grandmommy says that she can feel their strength in her blood and in her bones. Moji used to say that this was unscientific—until she found out about DNA. Grandmommy was not surprised. She said scientists are only catching up with what people have always known.
   But church day is Sunday. And today is still Saturday. So Grandmommy is not wearing her dangly earrings. She is at work. And although Tola and Moji and Dapo are not at school, and although they do not have jobs to go to, they still have work to do.
   “You three must clean the rice,” Grandmommy had told them.
   Tola’s family can only buy cheap sacks of rice. Cheap sacks of rice have many small stones in them, stones that must be picked out.
   Selling groundnuts by the side of the road does not earn them enough to buy sacks of expensive clean rice.
   And Grandmommy cannot earn the money for food and wash all their clothes and also clean the stones out of the rice. So Tola and Dapo and Moji have to help.
   But in fact Moji is studying on the old computer that her scholarship school has lent her. She is frowning at the screen with her A+ frown.
   And in fact Dapo is using his knees to keep a football up in the air. He is wearing his Africa Cup of Nations frown.
   So in fact it is only Tola who is squatting on the floor picking stones out of the rice! From where she is, she can see the bed and the shelf with Grandmommy’s gold earrings gleaming next to the Bible.
   “Dapo!” she says to her brother. “You are supposed to be helping!”
   Dapo kicks the ball up with his knees faster and faster and faster. Then he suddenly traps it under his foot like a rat under a broom. He beams at Tola.
   “You see that?” he asks. “You see my World Cup moves? When I become a professional footballer, I will pay for somebody to pick the stones out of the rice.” Dapo pauses.
   “Do not worry, Too Small Tola. I will take care of you! But for now, I must practice!”
   Dapo starts to kick the ball up on his knees again. And Tola rolls her eyes.
   “Moji!” Tola says to her sister. “Come and do the rice with me!”
   Moji raises her eyebrows at Tola.
   “If I do the rice now, then I will not be able to study. And if I do not study, then I will not become a doctor. And if I do not become a doctor, then I will be picking stones out of rice for the rest of my life.”
   “But Moji—” Tola says.
   “Leave me alone to become a doctor,” Moji says. “Then I will buy us all expensive rice. Rice with no stones.”
   Moji turns back to her computer screen.
   Tola scowls. She always does the Saturday jobs alone.
   And picking stones out of rice takes forever.
   And it is boring-o!
   But Tola continues because if Grandmommy comes home and the rice is not finished, then she will not be happy. And Grandmommy might be small, but her lungs are not. And that is also why Tola never tells her that Moji and Dapo do not help with the Saturday jobs. Tola does not want to hear Grandmommy shouting, even if it is not at her.
   Dapo kicks the ball up on his knees again. He makes a little grunt each time he does it.
   “Dapo!” snaps Moji. “You are not allowed to do that inside! Grandmommy will be angry!”
   But it is raining hard, so Dapo cannot practice outside. It is proper Nigerian rain, with fat drops flying down hard and fast like in a rich man’s shower.
   “And who will tell Grandmommy?” Dapo grunts. “You, who are supposed to be doing the rice?”
   Moji glares at Dapo. Dapo keeps his eyes on the ball. Nothing can puncture his concentration! He is kicking faster and faster. And grunting faster and faster too.
   “Dapo!” Moji shouts. “That ball will break something! And then what will Grandmommy do to you?”
   It is Dapo’s concentration that breaks!
   The ball rolls away and knocks into Tola’s neat piles of rice and stones.
   They become one pile of rice and stones mixed together like before.
   “Look what you did!” Tola shrieks.
   “I told you!” Moji sings out.
   “It was you!” Dapo shouts at her. “It was you who did it. You are a witch!”
   “A witch!” Now Moji is shrieking too. “Who are you calling a witch?”
   Tola sighs loudly and leaves them to argue. She is so angry she could box their heads together. But they look like they are going to do that themselves. So she leaves them to it and starts to separate the piles all over again.

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