(1) 1-3 Illustrated by Onyinye Iwu. Tola, in spite of her young age and diminutive stature, accomplishes big things in this sequel to Too Small Tola (rev. 3/21). In the first of three stand-alone chapters, Tola finds Grandmommy's lost earring, a family heirloom that, when Grandmommy wears it, gives her "the strength to carry on." In the second, Tola sells groundnuts at the side of the road when Grandmommy is sick with malaria. In the third story, Tola is jealous of "three fine girls" who have money for new sneakers and chic jeans. But these same girls are envious of Tola who, standing on the back of her friend's bicycle exuding joy as she heads to the masquerades, is "the happiest girl in the world." The author does not shy away from describing the challenges of daily life in Lagos, Nigeria, but these are not stories of hardship. Atinuke uses her memorable 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.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(1) 1-3 Illustrated by Onyinye Iwu. Tola is small, but she is mighty. In three episodic chapters, Tola uses her not-inconsequential perseverance to help her grandmother, other family members, and those in her wider Lagos community. As she does in her chapter books about Anna Hibiscus (Welcome Home, Anna Hibiscus!; You're Amazing, Anna Hibiscus!, both rev. 11/17; and others), Atinuke provides child-friendly particulars that create a vivid picture of the setting (and just as in the Anna Hibiscus titles, continually re-sets the scene: "Tola lives in a run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria"). When the water is not working in their apartment building, Tola and her siblings must fill jerry cans at a nearby tap, lining up with their neighbors before school. When Abdul the tailor visits Tola's family to measure them for their matching Easter outfits ("Easter and Eid do not often happen at the same time, and celebrations are all anybody is talking about"), he rides his bicycle with his sewing machine strapped on the back. Atinuke's writing is rich with imagery and replicates the music and rhythm of Tola's daily life. The stories are copiously illustrated with line drawings of a round-faced, appealingly welcoming protagonist. The friendly format, universal emotional truths, helpful illustrations, and strong writing work together to immerse young readers in Tola's world.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2021