‘Tomás and the Library Lady’ at Des Moines Temple Theater

DES MOINES — Des Moines Performing Arts, in conjunction with the Wonder of Words Festival, will present “Tomás and the Library Lady” for family audiences at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Des Moines Temple Theater.

Tickets to "Tomás and the Library Lady" are $5 and can be purchased at the Civic Center ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000 and online at www.desmoinesperformingarts.org.

Tomás loves stories. Grandfather tells them every night during the summer when the family leaves Texas to pick crops in Iowa. Soon Tomás knows all the stories by heart. A chance encounter brings him to the local library where he meets the “library lady” who encourages his love of reading. His delight in books is equaled by his pride in teaching the librarian Spanish, trading knowledge and respect between generations and cultures. Tomás develops great pride in becoming his family’s new storyteller.

Based on the true story of Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera, a child of migrant workers who grew up to be an author and the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system, this inspirational story suggests what reading — and self-respect — can make possible.

The show is recommended for children ages 4 and older. Running time is one hour.

The Wonder of Words Festival is co-produced by the Downtown Community Alliance and the Des Moines Public Library. It runs Nov. 2 through 10. For more information, visit http://wonderofwordsfest.com/.