posted on 12 Sep 2023

Too Small Tola Makes It Count by Atinuke, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu

Tola is a young Nigerian girl who has a big personality that shines through the three short episodes in this fourth book of the series. She lives with her family in a one room flat in a run-down block in Lagos, part of a poor but very self-sufficient community where neighbours are always concerned about one another. The city is full of contrasts where the rich people live in their huge mansions and many unfortunate people sleep on cardboard boxes under bridges.    

Everyone in the city has been affected by the recent lockdown and all Tola’s neighbours are celebrating their precious freedom. The author gives some examples of how differently people were affected, many of whom needed to work for food and risk being chased by the police. What went before the lockdown can’t always be replicated - as with her elderly friend Mrs Shaky Shaky who is much less mobile than before. As a result, she is feeling very lonely and out of touch in her upstairs room.  

We gather that Tola spent her lockdown time living as a house girl with the Diamonds who are a rich family and ‘the most uber-mega-famous Afrobeat musicians in Nigeria.’ She realises that not everyone is going to believe her good fortune. Returning to school proves to be quite difficult for her and she needs to be comforted by Mrs Shaky Shaky. 

Her big brother Tapo has his own problems because his Grandmummy strongly disapproves of his new friends in the block who are much older than him: ‘Those thick-leg boys are nothing but nobodies’. Despite her misgivings and because of Tola’s creative determination to find a way to help her lonely friend, these friends prove to be the solution. 

The second episode describes how the family plans to take a rare day trip to the free beach  (most are very exclusive and cost money ). As her brother and sister are busy, Tola and Grandmummy get to spend the day together. The author describes the dubious joys of overcrowded public transport very well, although Tola is blissfully happy:

 ‘She does not mind that the bus is as hot as a soldier ant’s bite. She does not mind that the bus is as slow as a tortoise. She does not mind that the bus is as bumpy as a camel.’

When they eventually arrive, the beach experience is not quite what she hoped for, but the two of them get to walk along the sand paddling in the waves treasuring their special time together.

The final episode shows us that Tola is very good at amusing her neighbour’s small baby while they go out. The woman in charge of the building, Mama Business, does not agree and tells her that she must stop the noisy games and let him cry! As a result of this conversation something very scary happens.

You will need to read for yourself to find out how clever Tola saves the day and then finds that she has become very famous in an unexpected way. She can certainly stop worrying about school now.           

These are stories about a likeable and thoughtful character who is full of good ideas and also about helping one another in very difficult circumstances. The detailed and prolific illustrations throughout bring the characters to life. It could open up some discussion with children about their own living environment as well as talking about friendship across the age divide.  

Available from Walker Books, the book is out now and can be obtained from your local independent bookshop - who will be glad to order it for you if they don’t have copies on the shelf

Karen Argent

September 2023