Too Small Tola Makes It Count

Too Small Tola #4

by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu (illustrator)

“Such attention to culturally situated details will prove just as valuable to readers as the core values communicated by these big-hearted stories about a small Nigerian girl.” —The Horn Book

Lockdown is over and Too Small Tola is happy to be home with her family again in their apartment in Lagos, Nigeria. Tola loves solving problems, in both math and real life, and there are plenty of problems for her to tackle in their crowded building: Mrs. Shaky-Shaky is having trouble climbing the stairs to her apartment, Mr. and Mrs. Abdul need someone to watch sweet Baby Jide, and Grandmommy needs help deciding what to do on a day out with Tola. Luckily, Tola has ideas to help everyone! But how will Tola solve her own problem—the fact that her classmates don’t believe she worked for Mr. Diamond, the famous music star? One of the Odidi boys even calls her a liar! With support from her family, friends, and neighbors, Tola learns about true friendship and the power of self-belief. There’s no problem too big for Too Small Tola! Community, wit, and love abound in this latest story from award-winning author Atinuke, with whimsical illustrations by Onyinye Iwu.

Genres: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, International, Africa, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2025

About the author

Atinuke is a Nigerian-born author who started her career doing traditional oral storytelling. Her books include a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Winner, a Notable Book for a Global Society, a Cybils Award Winner, and an Africana Award Winner. She lives in Wales.

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Small Tola lives in a small, one room apartment in Lagos, Nigeria with her Grandmommy, her studious older sister Moji, who attends a private school on scholarship, and her older brother Dapo, who supports the family working as a mechanic.  At the start of this three-story collection, the family has recently reunited after being separated during the pandemic, and they are happy to be back with all of their friendly neighbors, including Mrs. Shaky-Shaky, an elderly woman who can no longer manage the stairs in the building. 

Tola visits her every day and confides that she is having trouble making friends at school because the other kids think she is lying about having lived with the famous musical Diamond family during lockdown.  Mrs. Shaky-Shaky expresses confidence that Tola can come up with a good solution, but the thoughtful Tola solves Mrs. Shaky-Shaky’s stair problem instead.  One Saturday, Grandmommy decides to take Tola on an outing to a local beach; they travel on a hot, crowded minibus, and the trash-littered beach is not as luxurious and relaxing as Tola expected.  She is surprised by her usually strict Grandmommy, who is exercising “vacation rules” instead of typical “everyday rules,” and her mathematical brain is also flustered by the ‘uncountable’ sand and ocean waves.  At the end of the day Tola understands that Grandmommy’s love is uncountable too.  Back in the city, Tola is happy to help her neighbors the Abduls by watching their baby Jide one day, but the mischievous boy sneaks out of the Abduls’ apartment while Tola is being lectured by the nosy Mama Business.  Tola has to search the building to find Jide, and when she finally tracks him down she also discovers a very surprising (and musical) solution to her problem at school!

This is the fourth book in a series from world-renowned Nigerian storyteller Atinuke.  Using traditional storytelling techniques such as repetitive phrasing and authentic dialect, she presents charming tales of a plucky little heroine who has creative problem-solving skills and a kind and generous attitude, especially toward her ‘found family’ of neighbors in the building.  The Too Small Tola books are remarkable in the way they matter-of-factly portray the dichotomy of wealth and poverty in the bustling city of Lagos and its surroundings: “In Lagos, there are children who live in mansions…and in Lagos, there are children who sleep on cardboard boxes under bridges.”  Tola, her family and their neighbors are lucky enough to live in their building, but still struggle to make ends meet; their sense of community and responsibility toward each other is necessary for survival and will be uplifting for readers.  Frequent greyscale illustrations enhance and emphasize some of the important scenes and the characters’ emotions. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chance to see another culture and family. Warm and reassuring.

Atinuke's Anna Hibiscus books are quite well-known, and sadly form such a small number of books depicting children and their lives in other countries.

Here Atinuke reminds us that in all countries, children can relate to each other with so many similarities and shared experiences, even while noting the differences.

In a post-lockdown world, Tola (who readers other than myself might have read about in other books) and her family are trying to recover from the pandemic's effects. Family members have been scattered to earn money and are now coming together.

In their very small flat in Nigeria, young Tola witnesses and faces problems for various friends and family members and helps to overcome them.

Young readers may be surprised to see the poverty that happens in other countries, the problems they face, here exemplified in one chapter where Tola's guardian can ill afford time off from work to take her to the beach... and that there are different beaches for rich and poor people. But also... that fun and happiness can be found in many places.

I would love for teachers to be able to use this series in class, it's in nice short and straightforward chapters and would be easily read over a few bedtimes at home, raising a lot of thoughts and questions for minds that need to see beyond their own small walls and boundaries.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too Small Tola isn't without resources as readers of this unique series come to realize. Fans of the previous three books in the series will enjoy watching this young girl solve problems for herself in three different chapters or stories. Not only does she find a way for elderly and frail Mrs. Shaky-Shaky to stay connected to the rest of the community, changing her grandmother's opinion of the boys her brother, Dapo, hangs around with, but she also takes a trip to the beach with her grandmother and realizes that some rules are meant to be broken and some fears can be overcome. Even though the beach is filthy and littered, there's still love to be found with Grandmommy. In the third story Tola loses track of the baby for whom she's caring and gets acclaim for having a song written about her. All the stories are connected in some way and originate in Grandmommy's apartment in Lagos, Nigeria, and Tola's pride and self-confidence are evident in each story, particularly since she is supported by her family and neighbors. The digital artwork allows readers to get to know the characters and setting even better. This is a quick read featuring characters that many readers will love. I look forward to the next installment of Tola's adventures, which, while they may seem small, are surely meaningful.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atinuke is one of my favorite authors and she's ably and beautifully continued the story of Tola, Dapo, Moji and Grandmommy post pandemic. It is a homecoming story -- they are all back living at home in the room they rent in the "run-down block of apartments in the megacity of Lagos, in the country of Nigeria." Tola negotiates a brilliant solution to Mrs. Shaky-Shaky's continued aging, but can't find a solution to her problem at school - the children call her a liar, not believing she could have worked for the ultra-famous Mr. Diamond! In the end, Tola learns that "the solutions to life's problems are not so easy to find as solutions in math problems. There are no rules to show the way. But there is thank you and there is sorry, and there is forgiveness." All of us can be hurt and flummoxed by life's problems, but family and true friends are everything necessary. Another delightful wonder of a book from my favorite author in Wales!

[Bonnie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too Small Tola Makes It Count is the 4th book in the series. It follows the adventures of a young girl in Lagos, Nigeria. Tola may be small but she shows courage and cleverness in many situations. Some themes from the story include family, resilience, and that small actions can lead to a significant impact. Tola can be seen as a problem solver, as seen in some examples from the book: helping her grandmother carry heavy goods through the busy market, solving a tricky problem when her baby cousin wanders off, and offering kind solutions to her friends’ arguments. The illustrations help create visuals that help readers envision the setting and relate to Tola’s experiences. I believe this book would be suitable for students in grades 3 through 5, and it is only 96 pages long.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an eARC of this through Edelweiss+. Atinuke once again brings readers into the bustling, diverse world of modern Lagos, Nigeria, and into the life of Tola, her brother and sister and their grandma. Not my favorite in the series; I feel like the final solution to Tola's problem was a bit contrived. But ultimately, who cares? The deep down joy of Tola does shine through. Definitely recommended.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Too Small Tola books just nail so many important topics. In this latest installment, Tola is accused of being a liar at school, her friend Mrs. Shaky Shaky struggles with her living situation, her Grandmommy takes her to the beach, and she babysits for a day. Tola struggles with friendships and who she can trust, she practices creative problem-solving, she conquers her fears and steps outside of the rules, and she navigates responsibility with integrity.

I love these.

[Judithcaryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Small Tola Makes it Count is a a series of three stories, taking place in Lagos in Nigeria. In this book (#4 in the series) we see Tola’s willingness to help others. She is kind, hard working and respectful of those around her. She lives with Moji,her sister, Dapo, her brother and they live with Grandmommy.
A wonderful journey into Tola’s world and a great read to learn about life in Nigeria.

Recommended for ages 7 to 11 by the SEPA Book Reviewers

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too Small Tola Makes It Count is a heartwarming and lively story about Tola, a small but mighty girl living in Lagos, Nigeria. Even though people underestimate her, Tola proves that courage, kindness, and clever problem-solving matter more than size. Atinuke’s writing is warm and engaging, and the book gives readers a vivid look at everyday life in a busy city. It’s inspiring, full of personality, and shows that even the smallest kids can make a big difference.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart. Thank you, Atinuke, for all your work. Especially for this capstone to a wonderful series. The dark times we're facing in the USA now are nothing compared to those of most of the people of Lagos... but if we face them with the attitudes of Tola and her friends, family, & neighbors we will get through them.

[Catrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great children’s book set in Nigeria, Lagos with three short stories connected to one another. A unique sense of realism and childhood joy and adventure mixed in this book. Loved the beautiful illustrations

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story. Atinuke is masterful at explaining kindness and good actions to children through her characters. Taking place in Lagos, it also gives children a global perspective.

[Christy Carmean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fourth installment of Tola and her life in Lagos, Nigeria. Love these short stories (that really happen) everyday all over the world. Great takeaways about friendship and problem solving.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much brilliance in fewer than 100 pages--even not having read the first three books in the series, I loved this window into Tola's life.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Too Small Tola solves problems and discovers her true friends in this delightful installment in the series which brings Lagos to life.

[Joy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. it is phenomenal. these stories are so empowering. such a beautiful story of a community practicing love to neighbors.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimed at early independent readers, the book provides a great opportunity to consider a different culture. Indeed, the essence of Nigeria leaps from the page and being set in a contemporary timeframe (it is just after lockdown) it is extremely relevant.

If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:

https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...

[Faith Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too Small Tola lives in a poor section of Lagos, Nigeria with Grandmommy, her older siblings, sister Moji and brother Dapo. When the pandemic hits, the city is locked down and the family faces financial difficulties. Clever Moji is on a scholarship and goes to live with her teacher to continue her schoolwork. Dapo is a mechanic and goes to live with his boss. Tola is left with Grandmommy and keeps busy figuring out math problems which she loves and does so well. Offered a job as a house
girl for a wealthy couple, she reluctantly accepts. Using her math skills, Tola discovers that the couple is being overcharged for diesel fuel. In gratitude, they give her a large monetary reward enabling her to go back to live with Grandmommy. This is a timely story ,simply and empathetically told. The digital illustrations are charming and expressive, nicely reflecting the setting. It is recommended for ages 7-9 by the SEPA School Library Book Reviewers.

[Bekah Hubstenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always happy to be back in Tola’s world. Covid lockdown is over in Lagos and her family is reunited and living together in their small apartment. Tola’s adventures don’t quite measure up to the last book but she still solves problems in an age appropriate way and we continue to see the beautifully supportive community of the apartment building she lives in. Grandmommy even changes her mind about boys she thought were “good for nothing.”