Tomás and the Library Lady

Recommended for Grades K-5

Performance Length: 60 minutes

A bilingual musical based on the beloved book about the true story of the Mexican-American author and educator, Tomás Rivera.

Tomás loves stories. As the young son of migrant farm workers, he spends the summer with his family following the crops north from Texas to Iowa, passing long days in the fields listening to his grandfather tell stories. Before long, Tomás knows all of Papa Grande’s tales by heart….

When a chance encounter brings him to the local Carnegie Library, he meets the Library Lady who recognizes his thirst for knowledge and encourages him to read. His delight in books is equaled by his pride in teaching Spanish to the Library Lady, trading knowledge and respect between generations and cultures.

Curriculum Connections: Theatre Arts, Literary Classic, Musical Literacy, World Languages, Communication, Language Arts

All Durham Public Schools reservations will be made by the school-designated Arts Liaison. The Arts Liaison was appointed by each school principal to coordinate this effort. Please contact your principal for further action.