Children’s books: Brighten up January with these new titles - The Irish Times

What to do to beat the January blues? Take some positive inspiration from the positive-thinking protagonists in some of the first-published books of the new year. Atinuke’s Too Small Tola (Walker Books, £5.99, 6+) is certainly a model of resilience.

Teased for her diminutive stature, Too Small Tola proves her toughness in three short episodes, where she helps her grandmother do the shopping, defeats the local bully, and overcomes her own compulsive altruism to get to school on time. Atinuke’s book is full of tiny, individual portraits, and the brilliant names evoke the kookiness of the characters.

There is Granny Mama Mighty, Tola’s inspiration; Mrs Shaky-Shaky of the galumphing gait; and nosy Mama Business, who could tell you everything about anyone in Lagos. The “mega-city” of Lagos is a vivid character too, with its busy, dusty streets, perpetual traffic, and the heaving market known as Mile 12. Onyinye Iwu’s pencil drawings provide a subtle visual complement to the bustling life of Atinuke’s busy, maths-loving, unusual heroine.

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