Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

One of my all time favorite little kid picture books is called "Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon." Written by Patty Lovell, this book is inspirational. Here ya go!

Molly Lou Melon stood just taller than her dog and was the shortest girl in the first grade. She didn't mind. Her grandma had told her, "Walk as proudly as you can and the world will look up to you."

(Picture showing Molly Lou Melon sliding down the banister on one arm) So she did.

Molly Lou Melon had buck teeth that stuck out so far, she could stack pennies on them. She didn't mind. Her grandma had told her, "Smile big and the world will smile right alongside you."

(Closeup picture of Molly Lou Melon's smile) So she did.

Molly Lou Melon had a voice that sounded like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She didn't mind. Her grandma had told her, "Sing out clear and strong and the world will cry tears of joy."

(Molly Lou Melon showed singing over a crowd of animals) So she did.

Molly Lou Melon was often fumble fingered. She didn't mind. Her grandma had told her, "Believe in yourself and the world will believe in you too."

(Picture showing Molly Lou Melon on a tightrope, riding a unicycle, and juggling a tea set) So she did.

Then Molly Lou Melon moved to a new town. She had to say goodbye to her grandma and all her friends...

and start in a new school.

On the first day of school, Ronald Durkin called her "SHRIMPO!" in gym class.
(Shows Molly Lou Melon running with a football, wearing an over sized helmet and Ronald Durkin flying through the air) When the game started, Molly Lou Melon caught the football, ran under the legs of Ronald Durkin, and scored a touchdown. All the children thought, "Wow, she's good!" and Ronald Durkin felt very foolish.

On the second day of school, Ronald Durkin called her "BUCKY-TOOTH BEAVER!"
(Shows Molly Lou Melon with seven pennies stacked on her buckteeth) Molly Lou Melon took out her pennies, stacked ten high on her teeth, and smiled as big as day. All the children smiled with glee and Ronald Durkin felt very foolish.

On the third day of school, Ronald Durkin said, "You sound like a sick duck--HONK HONK!"
(Shows Molly Lou Melon standing on top of Ronald Durkin, laughing) Molly Lou Melon sang out a "QUACK!" so clear and strong that it made Ronald Durkin somersault backwards, hit his head, and have to go to the nurse. All the children cried with joy to be free of Ronald Durkin for the rest of the afternoon and Ronald Durkin felt very foolish.

On the fourth day of school, Ronald Durkin said that she'd made her snowflake all wrong. But Molly Lou Melon opened up her paper and revealed the most beautiful snowflake of all.

(Shows all the children surrounding a huge, pretty snowflake with Molly Lou Melon standing in the middle of it) All the children oohed and aahed, even Ronald.

On the fifth day of school, Ronald Durkin brought Molly Lou Melon a stacking penny for her tooth and smiled at her.

(Shows a tiny, gray-haired old lady sitting on a big pillow in an over sized chair)That night Molly Lou Melon took out a pencil and paper and wrote a letter to her grandma:

Dear Grandma,
I wanted to tell you that everything
you told me was exactly right!
Love,
Molly Lou Melon

This is an amazing book. The illustrations are also amazing (drawn by David Catrow). Go read it...I don't care how old you are...