Too Small Tola Gets Tough - by Atinuke

About the Book

"In ordinary times, Tola lives in an apartment in Lagos, Nigeria, with her clever sister, Moji; her sporty brother, Dapo; and bossy Grandmommy. Tola is so happy! But news of a new virus--and a lockdown, too--sends Moji away in one direction and Dapo in another. Then, when Grandmommy can no longer go out to work, Tola goes instead. She works for the wealthy Diamond family and makes new friends among the household staff. But even the wealthy have problems--and only Too Small Tola is big enough to rise to solve them."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

It's a strange, scary time for Too Small Tola when a new virus separates her family, but Atinuke's small-but-mighty heroine proves once again how wise, kind, and resourceful she can be.

In ordinary times, Tola lives in an apartment in Lagos, Nigeria, with her clever sister, Moji; her sporty brother, Dapo; and bossy Grandmommy. Tola is so happy! But news of a new virus--and a lockdown, too--sends Moji away in one direction and Dapo in another. Then, when Grandmommy can no longer go out to work, Tola goes instead. She works for the wealthy Diamond family and makes new friends among the household staff. But even the wealthy have problems--and only Too Small Tola is big enough to rise to solve them. Brimming with genuine emotion and ultimately reassuring, Atinuke's third book to feature the brave and endearing Tola, illustrated with zeal by Onyinye Iwu, shines with the light of resilience and hope.

Review Quotes

Atinuke's stories interweave with Iwu's charming illustrations so effortlessly that readers will be enthralled by the Tola's timely adventures. . . . gives readers and their families a big message of hope, strength, and triumph in this series addition about ­COVID-19
--School Library Journal

A young Nigerian girl grapples with the impact of a global pandemic. . . . 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. . . . Remarkable and timely.
--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Atinuke was born in Nigeria and spent her childhood in both Africa and the United Kingdom. She is the author of Too Small Tola and Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls as well as the best-selling Anna Hibiscus series, illustrated by Lauren Tobia, and Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country, illustrated my Mouni Feddag. Atinuke started her career as an oral storyteller of tales from the African continent. Now she writes about contemporary life in Nigeria. She lives on a mountain overlooking the sea in West Wales.

Onyinye Iwu was born in Italy, where she spent most of her childhood, then moved to the UK when she was a teenager. A teacher by day and an artist by night, Onyinye Iwu is the illustrator of Too Small Tola and Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinuke and many other acclaimed books for young readers. She lives in London.