Book : Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon - Lovell, Patty

-Titulo Original : Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

-Fabricante :

G.P. Putnams Sons

-Descripcion Original:

Review Molly Lou Melon may be tiny, clumsy, buck-toothed, and with a voice like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor, but she doesnt mind. Her grandmother has utmost confidence in her, and tells her at every turn to believe in herself. Sing out clear and strong and the world will cry tears of joy, Grandma says. But Molly Lous self-assurance is put to the test when she moves to a new town, away from her friends and beloved grandmother. During her first week of school, Ronald Durkin taunts Molly Lou Melon in the dull-witted but sharp-edged manner of career bullies, calling her shrimpo and bucky-toothed beaver. Our heroine barely flinches as she systematically sets out to prove herself, and Ronald Durkin ends up feeling pretty foolish. First-time author Patty Lovells message is clear and simple, and the theme is familiar enough to strike chords with every reader, young and old. David Catrow, illustrator of Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs, Rotten Teeth, and other popular picture books, depicts a very weird-looking, very appealing little girl with warmth and cartoonish humor. Any child who is less than perfect will cheer with joy to meet Molly Lou Melon, a girl who doesnt let anything--or anyone--shake her belief in herself. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter Be yourself like Molly Lou Melon no matter what a bully may do. 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. She doesnt mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart. But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that. From Publishers Weekly Meet Molly Lou Melon: shes just taller than her dog, with buck teeth that stuck out so far, she could stack pennies on them, and a voice that brings to mind a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She also possesses huge insect-like eyes. In fact, young readers may actually gasp when they get a good look at the fearless first-grader in Catrows (Shes Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head) double spread, extreme close-up portrait. Thanks to her grandmother, the protagonist possesses seemingly indomitable self-esteem but will it survive a move to a new school and a bully named Ronald Durkin? Newcomer Lovell doesnt offer any real surprises in her fable theres never any doubt that Molly Lou Melon will charm her classmates with her eccentric talents (which include making a paper snowflake the size of a school room), or that even Ronald Durkin will capitulate and join her fan club. What keeps the storytelling fresh is the crisp prose and the heroines full-speed-ahead determination; the story never dallies too long on the potentially saccharine message. Catrows full-bleed pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, awash in ripe colors and animated by slapstick exaggeration, radiate a winningly eccentric elegance. Ages 4-8. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal K-Gr 3-Although first-grader Molly Lou Melon is extremely short, has buck teeth you can stack pennies on and a bull-frog voice, and is clumsy, her grandmother keeps reminding her that if she believes in herself, the world will believe in her, too. When Molly Lous family moves, and she encounters the school bully, Ronald Durkin, she remembers her grandmothers advice. When he calls her SHRIMPO! she beats him at football and, full of self-confidence, meets his other taunts with an astounding array of talents. The intricate snowflake she cuts wins Ronalds admiration and his gift of a stacking penny for her teeth. Catrows pencil and neon-green-tinged watercolor illustrations suit the exuberant, over-the-top quality of the protagonist and text. The books message, however, may leave readers wondering if