Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon tells the story of a little girl who gets teased a lot by all of her classmates. Author Patty Lovell and illustrator David Catrow write a story where Molly Lou Melon is teased for her buck teeth, short stature, funny voice, and her clumsiness. Molly Lou Melon learns a great deal from her Grandmother who gives her great advice. The grandmother tells Molly Lou Melon, “Walk as proudly as you can and the world will look up to you.” But, when Molly Lou Melon has to move to a new town, far away from her Grandmother, she has to learn how to handle a situation where one of her new classmates bullies her. Molly Lou Melon has a different ways of doing things. After she scored the winning touchdown for football at recess and showing her class how to make the biggest snowflake out of paper and scissors, Molly Lou Melon shows her bully, Ronald, how to be a good friend!
Curriculum Connections
This book will show students how to be friendly, how to be yourself, and how to honest. This book can be used with young children to help them think about practicing honesty, self-control, and kindness to others (VA SOL K.8 e). With older students it can be used to talk about a range of ideas related to good citizenship, including fair-play, helping others, honesty, and more (VA SOL 1.10a,b,d,e).
Additional Resources
- Lesson Plan Ideas– This website offers a lesson plan that corresponds with the book to show the uniqueness of each student.
- Coloring Pages-This site offers coloring pages for young children about core morales and values such as honesty, caring, respect, and being kind.
- Detailed Lesson Plan– This site offers a more detailed lesson plan that incorporates this book as well as others. It provides before and background information for teachers, instructional methods, extensions such as emotion cards and family connections, as well as an assessment plan.
Book: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
Author: Patty Lovell
Illustrator: David Catrow
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Publication Date: 2001
Pages: 32 pages
Grade Range: K-1
ISBN: 0399234160