Tomás and his family are migrant workers who travel from state to state helping farmers harvest their fruits and vegetables. Each summer the family settles in Iowa, where they work in the hot, dry fields under the bright sun. Tomás and his brother, Enrique, spend their afternoons in the cool shade of a tree, listening to their grandfather, Papá Grande, telling stories in Spanish. Eventually Tomás knows all of his grandfather's stories, so Papá Grande suggests that he go to the local library to learn new ones to share with the family. Thanks to a friendly and helpful librarian, Tomás is soon reading all sorts of books and telling his family about the many exciting things he's discovered.

Inspired by the real life story of Tomás Rivera, who became chancellor of the University of California at Riverside, Tomás's tale evokes the joys and pleasures of reading and libraries as seen through a young boy's eyes. Pat Mora's story shows all that librarians and education make possible. Raul Colón's striking illustrations capture the beauty and spirit of a child's imagination. Together they create a heartwarming and inspiring book.

From the dust jacket