Summary: "Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon" is about a young girl who has flaws, just like everyone else. Molly Lou Melon's grandmother teacher Molly to appreciate her flaws and to be proud of who she is.

Evaluation: I rated this book a 4. This book is engaging to its readers with such appealing images. It also gives young children a wonderful message of appreciating theirselves.

Teaching Tip: Teachers could read this book to his/her students, and then have the students write a text-to-self connection. (some connections could be about the students' flaws, someone teaching them to overcome something, etc.)

One of my kids favorite books. The moral to the story is how Molly Lou Melon is different from everyone else, but that it's okay. Wise words from Grandma encourage Molly to stand up for herself, be true to herself, smile and be happy, and never give up. This is a book that I'll keep to read to my Grand babies one day in the very far future...no Goodwill for this one! Huge five stars. Ages 4 to 94...

Another that’s not going toward book count, don’t worry, I’m not cheating the system:

A must read for kids. Got to tuck CC in with this one! One that I’m going to buy for myself because it’s a sweet tale of learning lessons from grandma, and if you know me, you know I love my grandma!

Illustrator David Catrow had me from the cover, with his depiction of the elfin Molly Lou Melon. So author Patty Lovell’s story about the tiny, buck-toothed girl and her loving grandmother, who urges her to be who she is, was just icing on the cake. No matter what happens, Molly maintains her confidence and does her best. She handles a bully with the aplomb I wish I had! Children and their grownups alike will adore this picture book!

Summary
From fault to talents, Molly Lou Melon doesn't let anything get to her. This book reminds the reader to be the best that they can be. I love how upbeat and self-loving this is while reading. Make the most of what you have received in life just like Molly Lou.

Evaluation

This book is great for students who have a hard time loving themselves. This is a very simple, short book, but I believe that at some point everyone needs to hear the story of Mary Lou. I love how this story makes you proud of who you are.

Teaching Ideas

I would read this story to my students and talk to them about how bad bullying is and that it is never allowed. This story is self-love. I want my students to understand that being positive about your image is the most important thing.

Great book about standing up to your bullies.

Stand Tall has such a well message throughout as we follow Mary Lou. The character has characteristics that make her who she is and is advised to embrace them and not care what other’s think. For young students who read this book I think it’s a great lesson for them to read to be open minded about the variety of students in the classroom. They will be able to see how no matter our differences we should care for one another but also like those characteristics that make us different. In my future classroom I think it would be nice for this book to be included in with a kindness lesson, or no bullying. I think this would be helpful for students to hear about Mary Lou’s experiences and maybe make connections from hers to theirs. Overall, this book is well written and has beautifully created illustrations to represent the multiple characteristics Mary Lou has.

Title / Author / Publication Date:
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon. / Patty Lovell. David Catrow (ill.) / 2001.

Genre: Fiction.

Format: Picturebook - print.

Plot summary:
"Even when the class bully at her new school makes fun of her, Molly remembers what her grandmother told her and she feels good about herself" (NoveList).

Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
self-esteem, bullying, relationship with grandmothers

Review citation:
“What keeps the storytelling fresh is the crisp prose and the heroine's full-speed-ahead determination” (Publishers Weekly).

Section source used to find the material:
Best Books for Children Preschool through Grade 6 (9th ed.)

Recommended age: Ages 2 - 6.

I like this book. I really enjoyed the humorous colorful illustrations. Great to see this was the authors first book and I look forward to what else she has in store. I thought the story flowed well and adored the ending. Having a good attitude about yourself is a wonderful lesson. Very cute.

Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor, but she doesn’t mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart.But when Molly Lou has to start in a new school she encounters a horrible bully that picks on her on the very first day.

I feel this story is a perfect way to show younger students the appropriate way to stand up to bullies. Molly Lou Melon handled the bully with confidence. It teaches students that they do not have to stoop to the bullies level in order to “win”. She believes in herself and that is all that she needs.

Connected Books: The Recess Queen by: Alexis O’Neil and Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having Courage To Be Who You Are by: Maria Dismondy

“Believe in yourself, and the world will believe in you too”- Molly’s Grandma

Molly Lou Melon is a wonderful character who is small in stature, but big in spirit. Her grandma gives her the confidence to be her true self, which proves to be very important when she moves to a new town. She gets bullied by Ronald Durkin, but isn't phased and continues to be herself until all the kids at her new school accept her just the way she is, even Ronald Durkin.
I chose this book because the cover was so cute and I thought many children would love the character of Molly Lou Melon.
This fiction book is great for K-3.
This book could be used in the classroom to talk about differences and how we should accept everyone just the way they are. It's a great message about being true to yourself and not changing just because your different than others.

Very cute and fun, with lovely messaging about self-acceptance.