THE MOLLYS B.
by Joann Howeth ; illustrated by Rupert Van Wyk
Howeth’s picture book follows the parallel lives of the real-life Molly Brown and Molly Bovine.
The author sketches the remarkable lives of two very different Mollys: Molly Brown, whose story begins in 1912 when she boards the Titanic, and Molly Bovine (aka Number 469), a cow living on a Montana ranch in 2006. Brown escapes the sinking Titanic; Bovine is shipped to a meat-packing facility. Connections are made between events when Brown escapes on a lifeboat while Bovine escapes by jumping a fence; Brown becomes exhausted from rowing and Bovine tires while swimming the Missouri River. Eventually, both Mollys find rescue and fame: Brown when her lifeboat is found and Bovine when her handlers decide she has earned a place at an animal sanctuary. Van Wyk’s illustrations consist of loose lines, bold watercolors, and whimsical character designs reminiscent of Quentin Blake’s famous drawings for Roald Dahl. Howeth’s prose is both informational and rhythmic as she frequently uses mirroring language to connect the characters. For example: “Here Margaret waited / with her stunned and fretful companions, / weeping, / praying, / shivering” is correlated with, “Here Number 469 waited / with her stunned and fretful companions, / jostling, / circling, / stamping.” Bovine getting shot with multiple tranquilizer darts may upset younger children, but both characters get happy endings. Howeth delivers an informative and adventurous tale filled with strong females (of varying species).
A charmingly illustrated, fact-filled journey that teaches children the power of perseverance.