Box Your Talents and Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon Book Review

by Kathy Porter

The first day of school is exciting and hard for most kids but changing schools can be excruciating. This was the case for first grader, Molly Lou Melon. However, Molly Lou bravely took it in stride, remembering her grandmother’s advice. Molly exhibited her unusual talents of balancing pennies on her buck teeth or cutting out room-sized snowflakes, to the delight of her classmates, except for Ronald Durkin, the class bully. However, this story isn’t about being bullied, it’s about sharing unique talents. In the end, Ronald comes around and even gives Molly Lou a penny to stack on her teeth.

David Catrow’s colorful and comical illustrations capture each moment with exaggerated exuberance, except for the contrite picture of Ronald offering a penny as both children smiled shyly. The theme of fearlessly being who you are comes out clear and strong, especially at the beginning when Molly’s grandmother gives her many words of encouragement and validation which Molly follows in her new school environment. And in the end, friendship wins.

Preschool and early grades are the years of discovery for talents that later take hold for life. Some children discover they can dance, draw, play sports, read well, or perhaps make a lonely child smile. Giving children many opportunities to spread their wings is a true gift from their caregivers.

You can find Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon on the L shelf of your local library in the Picture Book section. To buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Objective: I can create a box and put my talents in it.

Supplies:

Free Activity Sheet, Scissors, Crayons or Markers (optional), Tape

Directions:

1. Color and cut out the pictures that describe your talents or what you want to learn as a talent. Are you a talented singer? Do you want to learn how to draw things?
2. Color and cut out the box on the solid lines. Cut around the dotted lines of the flaps.
3. Fold along the solid lines. Tape the flaps to the inside of the box until you have a cube or box.
4. Fold your talent pictures and put them in the box. When you want something fun to do, take out one of your talents and try it.

Different Variations:

• For Younger Children: A caretaker can read the words and let the child choose what they like. The child may also need help with the scissors, folding, and taping.
• For Older Children: Draw pictures or write your own talent words on the back of the talent pictures or on squares of blank paper.
• Decorate your box with pictures of your talents.