Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

• About the Book

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

by Patty Lovell

Illustrated by David Catrow

Putnam Juvenile

Copyright 2001

In their book, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, author Patty Lovell and illustrator David Catrow create a fantastical story about a tiny little girl who balances penny's on her teeth, and achieve a realistic message about pursuing a positive self-concept and handling teasing.  In Molly Lou's case, a positive self-concept and combating teasing go hand-in-hand.

It just so happens that Molly Lou Melon has a funny voice, buck teeth, and a very, very short stature.  Yet, she has one person in her life who tells her to embrace those characteristics, to put them into action, and display them for others to look up to.  That person is her grandmother.  As the book demonstrates, Molly Lou's quest for self-expression and her ability to "stand tall" greatly influences those around her.  She takes the advice of her grandmother and utilizes her characteristics in a multitude of successful ways.  She is outwardly unaffected by Ronald Durkin's persistent verbal jabs as a result of her daily achievements.  Simply, Molly Lou is too busy making touchdowns and beautiful art to let Ronald get in the way.

• I Spy from a Counseling/Educational Perspective: Does Ignoring Work?

To ignore teasing is one strategy for children to use when confronted with this type of bullying by another student.  It is a difficult method for many young children to consistently implement over time, especially if the teasing is frequent and becomes threatening.  In that case, the child being teased must know how to report the bullying incidents in order to receive help from a higher level authority.  It is important for the adults surrounding that child to be aware of change in behavior, school performance, and other cues that may indicate being victimized.  It is imperative for parents to develop a home environment and for teachers to create a classroom community where children feel safe and heard.  The art of ignoring (and I call it "art" because it is a skill that can be taught through role-play and practice) can be effective in deterring the frequency of teasing.  However, other methods must be used to deal with the effects of teasing on a child like supportive group of adults, family, and friends that are emotionally present to listen and help.  Molly Lou has her grandmother (a key figure of resiliency) and her classmates who consistently give her positive reinforcement.

At the end of the book, Ronald's teasing ceases and he makes an attempt to befriend her.  After getting to know Molly Lou Melon's personality in this picture book, the reader foresees that Ronald's attempt to be friends just may, in fact, be accepted.

• I Spy, More!

• Check out scholastic.com for an early elementary lesson plan which can be implemented at home and in the classroom using Patty Lovell's Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon as its framework.

• Visit Stop Bullying Now! for information on bullying prevention, strategies, and working with children who are being bullied, as well as those who bully, and more.