Lucinda Belinda Melinda McCool
What’s inside...
Lucinda Belinda Melinda McCool, the most beautiful girl in school, feels it's her duty to guide everyone on beauty. She becomes unpopular as she criticizes everyone's appearance, including her grandma's. When she meets a monster in the forest, she attempts to give it a makeover. However, she realizes that changing its appearance does not change its inner nature.
Age
0-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Lucinda Belinda Melinda Mccool
Crocodile
Discussion points
Why do you think Lucinda Belinda Melinda McCool wanted everyone to look perfect?
What do you think the story teaches us about how we should treat others based on their appearance?
How did the character’s actions make you feel?
Can you think of a time when someone helped you accept something about yourself that you didn't initially like?
What do you think is more important, how people look or how they are on the inside?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation with an easy question to get your child talking about the main character and her desire for perfection.
Emphasize empathy by discussing how different characters in the story might have felt in various situations.
Encourage your child to think about the moral of the story by discussing the consequences of the character’s actions and relating them to real-life situations.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s everyday experiences such as school or friendships, to foster deeper understanding and personal connection.
Praise your child for thoughtful responses and encourage them to ask their own questions about the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of inner beauty over outer appearances
Explanation: The protagonist, Lucinda Belinda Melinda McCool, obsesses over being the prettiest girl, neglecting inner qualities. However, the story unfolds to show that such superficial attitudes are limiting.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and appreciate people for their kindness and good nature rather than just their physical appearance.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of others' differences
Explanation: Lucinda tries to change everyone around her to fit her standards of beauty, but this notion is challenged when she encounters the monster. The narrative shows the failure of imposing one’s standards on others.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace and celebrate the unique traits and differences that people have, fostering a more inclusive outlook.
Example Lesson: Consequences of superficial judgments
Explanation: Lucinda’s focus on changing others’ appearances leads to an unexpected conclusion with the monster, teaching a lesson on the consequences of shallow judgments.
Real-World Application: It teaches children that focusing solely on outer appearances can lead to misunderstandings and negative outcomes, promoting a more thoughtful and considerate approach.
Example Lesson: Being open-minded and accepting help
Explanation: Despite her beauty expertise, Lucinda's encounter with the monster teaches her that she does not have all the answers and that being open to learning from others is valuable.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of listening to others and being open to different perspectives, which can lead to personal growth and better relationships.