Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu
Published by Candlewick Press on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 1536225177
Pages: 96
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
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Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinuke is comprised of three short stories featuring young Tola and her family. Tola lives with two older siblings and her grandmother in Lagos, Nigeria. Each story depicts life as a poor yet loving family in a big city. Though the stories are fiction, readers will learn about the Nigerian way of life, from Tola’s grandmother street hawking groundnuts to put food on the table, to the beauty and love felt by Tola when her grandmother weaves her hair for the first time. The stories are simple, yet engaging and meant for early elementary children. Despite taking place on another continent, readers will be able to relate to the characters and will leave each story with something to think about.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library