Molly on the Moon
What’s inside...
In 'Molly on the Moon,' Molly and her family move to the moon, taking only the essentials, including one toy each for Molly and her baby brother, Luke. Molly uses her creativity to transform simple objects like a packing crate, a tarp, and some cans into fun playthings. Initially hesitant, Molly soon learns that sharing her imaginative creations with Luke brings more joy than playing alone. Illustrated by Diana Mayo and developed with insights from a NASA astronaut, the story beautifully portrays life on the moon through the lens of childhood play and sibling togetherness.
Age
3-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Molly
Luke
Discussion points
How do you think Molly felt when she traveled to the moon? Can you describe a time you felt the same way?
What do you think is the most exciting part of space travel, based on Molly's adventure?
If you could take any one item with you to the moon, like Molly did, what would it be and why?
What did you learn about problem-solving from how Molly handled challenges on the moon?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your thoughts on Molly’s journey and ask your child what they thought about the story.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story by asking them to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Discuss why they chose that particular scene or character.
While discussing the book, link the story events to your child’s personal experiences to help them relate and understand the themes better.
Praise your child’s responses and encourage them to think deeper by asking follow-up questions related to their answers.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Facing fears
Explanation: In 'Molly on the Moon', Molly confronts her fears of the unknown as she embarks on an adventure to the moon.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach new experiences and challenges with curiosity rather than fear, encouraging personal growth and confidence.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout her journey, Molly encounters various challenges that require creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This narrative can inspire children to think critically and solve problems they encounter in school or while interacting with others.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: Molly relies on her friends for support and assistance during her moon adventure, highlighting the value of friendships and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value and nurture friendships, understanding that collaboration can lead to achieving great things.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: Molly's adventure is driven by her curiosity about the moon, which leads her to learn many new things.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of staying curious and enthusiastic about learning, helping them to embrace educational pursuits with excitement.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Molly shows resilience when faced with difficulties on her journey, demonstrating the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist through challenges in their own lives, understanding that resilience is key to overcoming obstacles.