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Brave Molly
What do you do when no one can see your monsters but you? At first, Molly runs from them. But they follow her down the sidewalk, getting in the way when she tries to make a new friend, popping up unexpectedly out of shadows, and multiplying. Until finally...Molly faces her fears. Author-illustrator Brooke Boynton-Hughes delivers a modern classic in this moving adventure that honors everyday acts of bravery and the power of friendship to banish the monsters that haunt us.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published April 30, 2019
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204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
July 21, 2025
A "wordless" children's book for a challenge - sweet with a lesson about facing up to your fears
September 8, 2021
The illustrations are nice, there is no text but the story is simple enough to follow. Molly's problems personify themselves as monsters, they follow her one day until she eventually yells at them and they go away. Does yelling at problems sort them out? If a person's problems don't go away, is that their fault? I thought the monsters looked fun, I wanted them to stay. A nice enough story with a well meaning message, but I couldn't help but think, the child who has problems may be left thinking theirs are still around because they didn't yell loud enough.
November 8, 2019
I honestly did not realise that Brave Molly is wordless until I picked up my reserved copy from the Hamilton Public Library. And yes, while Brooke Boynton-Hughes' pictures are for the most part not too busy and convoluted for generally written text oriented I to easily understand and follow thematics and what the illustrated storyline strives to imply and depict, frankly, I still would much prefer it if Brave Molly were in fact not wordless and therefore totally reliant on just the featured illustrations, if Brooke Boynton-Hughes also presented a printed text alongside of her pictures (it is just the way I am and what my picture book preferences generally tend to be, but considering that in Brave Molly Molly finally deals with her anxiety and the monsters only she can see by actively screaming at them, I for one would also and definitely kind of want to know what exactly she verbally yells out to those monster figments of her imagination for them to finally skedaddle and depart).
Nevertheless and the above having all been said, Brave Molly has certainly still been a rather pleasant visual reading experience for me, especially since Brooke Boynton-Hughes has rendered her illustrated monsters gigantic and a trifle threatening but never truly creepy in depiction (just overly large but not with either pointed fangs or horrid looking facial expressions). And yes, the only reason why Brave Molly is a three and not yet a four star book for me is that personally, I rather do wish that instead of yelling at her anxiety and imagination fuelled monsters to go away, to leave her alone, Molly had instead faced her fears and approached her monsters with an offer of friendship, embracing them but no longer fearing them (for does not Molly making the monsters leave for good also kind of push away her own imagination).
Nevertheless and the above having all been said, Brave Molly has certainly still been a rather pleasant visual reading experience for me, especially since Brooke Boynton-Hughes has rendered her illustrated monsters gigantic and a trifle threatening but never truly creepy in depiction (just overly large but not with either pointed fangs or horrid looking facial expressions). And yes, the only reason why Brave Molly is a three and not yet a four star book for me is that personally, I rather do wish that instead of yelling at her anxiety and imagination fuelled monsters to go away, to leave her alone, Molly had instead faced her fears and approached her monsters with an offer of friendship, embracing them but no longer fearing them (for does not Molly making the monsters leave for good also kind of push away her own imagination).
April 12, 2024
as an introvert, I understand her
October 30, 2023
Love the ending, but I feel like I should mention that several pages creeped me the hell out. Possibly children will react quite differently, but as a parent I was anxious as hell, albeit only very briefly. If the author wanted to work in graphic novel horror, I think she could score big.
Possibly other books by the author will change my rating. I waffled on 3 or 4 or 5. Might change my mind tomorrow, who knows?
Library copy
Possibly other books by the author will change my rating. I waffled on 3 or 4 or 5. Might change my mind tomorrow, who knows?
Library copy
November 15, 2024
3.25 stars
The illustrations are cute and that helped make the anxiety monsters less scary. There is only one word in the entire book but the plot is easy enough to follow. My only issue is that there are other ways a person can combat anxiety monsters and this book only shows yelling as a possibility. Wish there were other methods shown like deep breaths.
The illustrations are cute and that helped make the anxiety monsters less scary. There is only one word in the entire book but the plot is easy enough to follow. My only issue is that there are other ways a person can combat anxiety monsters and this book only shows yelling as a possibility. Wish there were other methods shown like deep breaths.
March 2, 2020
Having studied this book inside out for my English module at university, I can safely say this book offers so much to whoever has picked it up to read, both children and adults alike. Molly is a young, quiet girl who is followed constantly by her fear in the form of a monster. For us the monster is simply a metaphor for anxiety but for Molly, the monster is very real and it takes all her courage to finally say “hi”, one single word which carries so much power in this story.
The topic of mental health amongst children is so prevalent these days (and rightly so) and the absence of words makes this book and its important message accessible to anyone who reads it. Boynton-Hughes created this story as a way to not only reflect her own experiences of anxiety as a young girl, but to also to help children, and adults, who feel scared or anxious or shy to find that courage within themselves just like Molly did.
The illustrations are what make this book special, created using pencils and watercolours they bring the story to life. What stands out most to me is Molly’s bright red jacket, it’s the brightest colour throughout the book. To me it signifies that as readers we get to see Molly’s courage long before she does, purely because of the connotations of the colour red. We know she can be bold and brave before she does, a touch of dramatic irony if you like.
Books that highlight struggles are just as important as books that celebrate joy, and this book does both of those things. We all have to channel our inner Molly sometimes.
The topic of mental health amongst children is so prevalent these days (and rightly so) and the absence of words makes this book and its important message accessible to anyone who reads it. Boynton-Hughes created this story as a way to not only reflect her own experiences of anxiety as a young girl, but to also to help children, and adults, who feel scared or anxious or shy to find that courage within themselves just like Molly did.
The illustrations are what make this book special, created using pencils and watercolours they bring the story to life. What stands out most to me is Molly’s bright red jacket, it’s the brightest colour throughout the book. To me it signifies that as readers we get to see Molly’s courage long before she does, purely because of the connotations of the colour red. We know she can be bold and brave before she does, a touch of dramatic irony if you like.
Books that highlight struggles are just as important as books that celebrate joy, and this book does both of those things. We all have to channel our inner Molly sometimes.
July 8, 2019
One of the hardest things about having social anxiety is watching life pass you by while you avoid it because of "what ifs" This book has very few words but paints an accurate picture of what it's like to live with anxiety. Know of a little one who is having trouble making friends? Hoping for recovery? This is a good place to start. Thank you to my coworker for bringing this book to my attention and loving me through my fear. You know who you are.
May 6, 2019
This is one of my favourite picture books I've read in a while. The illustrations are beautiful and each panel is a work of art in its own right. You could easily stick them in a frame if you wanted.
There is so much care and attention with theses illustrations because there are no words (except a single "hi" at the very end) in this story. The artwork tells Molly's tale and is does it effectively. I was impressed by how the emotions were conveyed.
Brave Molly shows the shadows of anxiety effectively, as well as how much strength it takes to take them on. I think it's a good visual story that works for young readers, but the beautiful illustrations easily make it tempting for multiple ages.
There is so much care and attention with theses illustrations because there are no words (except a single "hi" at the very end) in this story. The artwork tells Molly's tale and is does it effectively. I was impressed by how the emotions were conveyed.
Brave Molly shows the shadows of anxiety effectively, as well as how much strength it takes to take them on. I think it's a good visual story that works for young readers, but the beautiful illustrations easily make it tempting for multiple ages.
May 14, 2019
I rounded up. This is a wordless picture book which isn't my cup of tea. However, the book did a very good job of depicting fears as amorphous gray shapes that follow you and how even though you are afraid you can succeed.
June 14, 2019
Beautiful watercolors give a sense of depth to Molly's tale of overcoming her anxieties. Could be paired easily with Wemberley Worried by Kevin Henkes, for kids whose worries seem to take over their head.
June 8, 2019
A wordless picture book that depicts the feeling of social anxiety in the form of monsters that crowd a young girl when she tries to enter a social situation.
September 21, 2024
POV dari seorang introvert. Cuma ada 1 kata di cerita ini.
Illustrasinya keren!
Illustrasinya keren!
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December 31, 2024Inspiring book about overcoming your social anxieties by facing them and, even though they might still be there from time to time, they can be overcome.
June 25, 2019
A really good book about fear and intrusive thoughts I think, I really enjoyed it.
Thank you Edelweiss+ for the DRC.
Thank you Edelweiss+ for the DRC.
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April 14, 2024Hyvä, sanaton kuvakirja sosiaalisten pelkojen kohtaamisesta.
October 18, 2024
I agree with other reviewers in that yelling at your problems isn’t the best way to deal with them. If I think about this from an introvert’s perspective and apply symbolism to analyze this story, I might have a different opinion. This isn’t a book for young children as the monsters would scare them, but maybe something to discuss with an introverted tween.
June 5, 2019
Brave Molly is a beautifully rendered and affecting wordless picture book written and illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes (Baby Love, written by Angela DiTerlizzi). Our young protagonist, Molly, sits in her bedroom and can see three children reading on a park bench- only, there also appears to be a grey, smoky monster directly in Molly's line of sight! As we see Molly wrestle with whether or not to approach the group of children- one of whom has dropped a book- the grey monsters multiply and keep multiplying at an alarming rate, no matter how fast and far Molly runs. As the monsters of fear threaten to overpower, Molly takes a mighty stand against it all, lighting the way to a lovely new beginning. How the topic of fear is approached and represented, along with the pacing and sharp wordless narrative structure make Brave Molly a notable and accessible read for younger readers (especially as it also pertains to relatable worries about reaching out to make friends!). While reading Brave Molly, my mind immediately went to Mel Tregonning's superb wordless picture book/graphic novel Small Things- an older bookish cousin of sorts if you will- which also launches starting off points to discuss fear as well as anxiety and its complexities. For readers perhaps not quite ready for Tregonning's book, Brave Molly is just the right pick for exploring/talking with young readers about worries and fears that can, at times, feel insurmountable and isolating.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. Title has been published and is currently available.
April 20, 2019
I'd give this one a 3.5, and I am pleased to see a picture book that deals with anxiety and the fears that often keep us from reaching out or taking risks. The illustrations, created with graphite, pen and ink, colored pencil and watercolor effectively depict the monsters that haunt Molly, the book's protagonist. The opening pages show Molly sitting in a window seat in her house while reading a book. She sees three youngsters close to her age down below, and thinks of joining them. But she sees a gray, almost formless blob of a monster lurking near the trees below her. Nevertheless, she swallows her fears and leaves the house. They are friendly enough and invite her to join them. But she is unable to do so because of the monster that she sees. Confused, they leave, but one child leaves behind a green book. Molly picks it up and sets off to return it to him. But as she travels forward, the monsters begin to multiply and follow her. There's no escaping them, and finally, she summons the courage to confront them. Although they seem to have disappeared after she does so, one comes back and almost keeps her from giving the book to its owner and forming a friendship with him over the book. This book provides ready assurance that fears are very real, and that sometimes having someone to share your emotions with can keep those fears at bay. The fact that the book is nearly wordless--just that one "hi"--adds to its appeal and its effectiveness. Caregivers and teachers might want to share this one with youngsters as a way to start conversations about fears and how to overcome them. It's a simple but moving depiction of the daily battles someone such as Molly has to wage. Just imagine the courage it took for her to even leave the safety of her house.
December 2, 2023
Brilliant! Highly recommend this one for adults as well as kids, especially if you have any kind of anxiety or depression.
The other reviews have covered the story well. I'll just say it perfectly illustrated my anxiety and worries. Also showed the process of how they multiply really well.
To those who say the ending is too simplistic, I'll say, This just illustrates one moment in one day in Molly's life. Molly has to do this over and over. It's not simplistic at all; it's hard every time. But this book shows how to start, which is often the hardest part. Also, if you look closely, you'll see that the first monster is still there on the endpapers. He's just been shoved aside.
I love that it's wordless and a little ambiguous because then the parent and child can talk about how it is or is not similar to their situation. They can interpret it how they want. Are the monsters anxieties? worries? depression? They could even be racial prejudice, since Molly has brown skin.
I'm really glad I read Brave Molly, about Molly, who is so brave. I'll be buying it.
The other reviews have covered the story well. I'll just say it perfectly illustrated my anxiety and worries. Also showed the process of how they multiply really well.
To those who say the ending is too simplistic, I'll say, This just illustrates one moment in one day in Molly's life. Molly has to do this over and over. It's not simplistic at all; it's hard every time. But this book shows how to start, which is often the hardest part. Also, if you look closely, you'll see that the first monster is still there on the endpapers. He's just been shoved aside.
I love that it's wordless and a little ambiguous because then the parent and child can talk about how it is or is not similar to their situation. They can interpret it how they want. Are the monsters anxieties? worries? depression? They could even be racial prejudice, since Molly has brown skin.
I'm really glad I read Brave Molly, about Molly, who is so brave. I'll be buying it.
July 3, 2019
BRAVE MOLLY is a gorgeously illustrated (very nearly) wordless picture book that tells one little girl’s story of facing and conquering her loneliness, anxiety, and fear. The watercolor and ink illustrations are beautifully rendered, and Brooke effectively uses paint splatters and line hatching to convey the mood of the scene and emotion of her main character. I love how cleverly Brooke designed this book. The case cover of BRAVE MOLLY is the same as the little green book the children share in the story.
This book is an important and necessary title. Because of the nearly wordlessness of the text, a child could easily insert themselves in the narrative and see themselves reflected in Molly. It could help a child struggling with anxiety or shyness confront their fears and remind them that they’re not alone in their emotional experience. Add this to your reading list immediately. It’s one title you won’t want to miss.
This book is an important and necessary title. Because of the nearly wordlessness of the text, a child could easily insert themselves in the narrative and see themselves reflected in Molly. It could help a child struggling with anxiety or shyness confront their fears and remind them that they’re not alone in their emotional experience. Add this to your reading list immediately. It’s one title you won’t want to miss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2022
A little girl wants to go out and talk to some other kids, but monsters intimidate her out of doing so until she shuts them down.
A note on the book cover says that the monsters represent fear and anxiety about going out and meeting others and the girl is supposed to be an introvert. As an introvert myself I get the intimidation in talking to strangers (and my younger self did even more). I'm not entirely sure if kids will get this, though there are some heavy hints and those who experience this will likely identify what is going on. This would be a great tool for counselors to use to get kids talking about their fears and anxieties in going outside and/or talking to someone.
Notes on content: The monsters are vague shadow-like things that seem to me less scary than the creatures in say Where the Wild Things Are but do know the child you read this with since some could find them scary.
A note on the book cover says that the monsters represent fear and anxiety about going out and meeting others and the girl is supposed to be an introvert. As an introvert myself I get the intimidation in talking to strangers (and my younger self did even more). I'm not entirely sure if kids will get this, though there are some heavy hints and those who experience this will likely identify what is going on. This would be a great tool for counselors to use to get kids talking about their fears and anxieties in going outside and/or talking to someone.
Notes on content: The monsters are vague shadow-like things that seem to me less scary than the creatures in say Where the Wild Things Are but do know the child you read this with since some could find them scary.
April 28, 2022
Nearly wordless.
Art in panels like comic books (art is not cartoonish).
An unnamed girl is followed by a shadowy blob creature/creatures which represent her depression or anxiety. It follows her everywhere; she tries to run away and escape from it/them.
When she stands up to her shadows, they minimize and shrink back.
After she gives a classmate/peer his lost book, and says the only text & dialogue of the story, "hi," the shadow-creature dissolves, and a two-page spread of white background accompanies her handing the boy his book. (symbolizing her defeat of her anxiety/depression).
The last page is the boy and girl reading together on a full-page (no panel lines) with an ample white background. She has overcome her shadows and made a friend. The closing endpaper shows two new kids walking up, one waving; two new (potential) friends.
Back in my day, we would shelve this in the "issues" section.
An important book.
Not sure how/if I would use it in storytime.
Art in panels like comic books (art is not cartoonish).
An unnamed girl is followed by a shadowy blob creature/creatures which represent her depression or anxiety. It follows her everywhere; she tries to run away and escape from it/them.
When she stands up to her shadows, they minimize and shrink back.
After she gives a classmate/peer his lost book, and says the only text & dialogue of the story, "hi," the shadow-creature dissolves, and a two-page spread of white background accompanies her handing the boy his book. (symbolizing her defeat of her anxiety/depression).
The last page is the boy and girl reading together on a full-page (no panel lines) with an ample white background. She has overcome her shadows and made a friend. The closing endpaper shows two new kids walking up, one waving; two new (potential) friends.
Back in my day, we would shelve this in the "issues" section.
An important book.
Not sure how/if I would use it in storytime.
November 26, 2023
I downloaded this on my library app because it came up as I was searching for titles relating to mental health, and I was curious to see what a children's book about mental health would look like as I haven't seen one before. This was mostly good; some parts, including the picture art is really well done, and one scene in particular where our main character faces her fears instead of running from them is exceptionally good. I also liked the emphasis on not allowing ourselves to be isolated. My only problem with it was that I felt it overlooked the fact that it's a process. Our main character faces her fears and starts making friends (therefore not isolating herself anymore) but that's how the book ends, and I really felt it was weak in that area. I understand it's for children so it's not going to go too deep into the process, but at the same time facing fears and stepping towards wholeness IS a journey, not a one-time fix, and I felt that could have been portrayed a little better.
August 3, 2020
A book of empowerment.
In this wordless book, Molly finally finds the courage to stand up to monsters that she sees around her. With a drawing style similar to Felicia Bond's (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie), Boynton-Hughes tells her story across two-page spreads, full page illustrations, and frames, depending on how quickly she wants readers to read the story or to slow down in order to linger and think about the action. This is very effectively executed.
This would be excellent to use with introverts in order to discuss fears and how to overcome them. They would get the "permission" the require to stand up for their rights. It could also be used as an exemplar for students to write about their own experience of standing up to someone. Very empowering.
Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
In this wordless book, Molly finally finds the courage to stand up to monsters that she sees around her. With a drawing style similar to Felicia Bond's (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie), Boynton-Hughes tells her story across two-page spreads, full page illustrations, and frames, depending on how quickly she wants readers to read the story or to slow down in order to linger and think about the action. This is very effectively executed.
This would be excellent to use with introverts in order to discuss fears and how to overcome them. They would get the "permission" the require to stand up for their rights. It could also be used as an exemplar for students to write about their own experience of standing up to someone. Very empowering.
Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
July 28, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. i love how both author & illustrator, brooke, actually relates to her own story and experiences into this book and honestly, i am truly moved and could totally relate the entire story as i am an INFJ myself and find it very overwhelming to meet new people. up till today, my loved ones have always been there to help me through in overcoming my fears and i am forever grateful of that. 💚 i also love how there are only beautiful illustrations with no words in this book & brooke really executes it perfectly - the emotions, actions and situations. its a really great story to share with children especially starting from a young age to talk about facing their fears and just, be brave. 🌱
October 14, 2019
Except for one word spoken by Molly at the end of the book, this is a wordless picture book. The fact that it is wordless is wonderful because you know that Molly is wordless too in this situation. Molly is shy and meeting new people or trying new situations brings up a great deal of stress and worry for her. It's worry that others don't necessarily see but to her it is real. She tries to overcome the fear by writing about it and hiding from it but it only grows. It is not until Molly is brave enough to look her fear in the face and work against it that she can get rid of it. By doing so she is able to see the good things that can happen when she controls it instead of it controlling her. This is a great book to use in the classroom to see what children see in it as well.
June 7, 2019
This sweet, wordless picture book tells a story of overcoming fear and anxiety to build relationships and live in community with our friends and neighbors. With easy to follow illustrations, we follow a little girl from her bedroom, to a group of children outside her house, and catch up with the monsters of fear and self-doubt who follow her all the way to school. Young readers will be able to relate to the difficulties this girl has in finding the confidence to speak up to her classmates. This might be a good one to share with kids at the beginning of the school year.
June 25, 2019
This wordless book speaks volumes! Molly has anxiety about going out into the world. When she does go out, it isn’t easy to speak to others. Then a monster-like creature begins to follow her. More creatures follow her until she is surrounded. Molly finally gets brave enough to banish them by speaking to a friend. Because this book is wordless, it provides the perfect opportunity for the reader to see themselves in the book, and to narrate it and relate to the feelings that Molly has. Highly recommended.
January 21, 2021
This book Brave Molly by Brooke Boynton Hughes shows how Molly can over come her demons. In this book there is a monster always following her and she becomes very scared. This prevents Molly from making friends and being able to interact with others. Molly is so afraid of the monster that she will not talk to anyone else. At the end of the book she was tired of being afraid and decided to ignore the monsters which helped her be able to make some friends. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was easy to understand and can help child defeat their demons as well.
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