Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon!

K-Gr 2—Molly Lou Melon has a house full of plastic toys and gewgaws, but her grandmother never did, and she tells her granddaughter about how she made playthings from found objects when she was young. In spread after spread, the youngster learns to use her imagination. When a new girl moves in next door, Molly Lou introduces her to this new way of playing, but Gertie is stuck in the modern, TV-watching, static-toy world. Of course, Molly Lou is eventually able to turn the tide, showing that imagination rules. The protagonist is a large-headed, bug-eyed girl living in a bright green and pink springtime cartoon world filled with details that will keep young readers busy. Catrow's cartoon-style pencil, watercolor, and collage illustrations match Molly Lou's lavish imagination. The book could have become didactic and preachy, but words and pictures work well to present a straightforward lesson on the value of good old-fashioned play.—Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada