Koala Lou

Bibliography:

Fox, Mem. 1988. Koala Lou. Ill by. Pamela Lofts. San Diego: Gulliver Books. ISBN: 0152005021.

Summary:

Koala Lou is a baby koala who is loved by everyone, but especially by her mother, who thinks the world of her. All the time she tells her daughter, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!” But then brothers and sisters come along, and her mother is busy. Koala Lou feels ignored, and she’s desperate for her mother to say those words again. She decides that if she wins the gum tree climbing competition in the Bush Olympics, her mother will certainly say she loves her. Koala Lou trains hard and does her best, but she comes in second. After crying in the forest, she comes home to find her mother waiting, and her mother DOES love her still!

Analysis:

This is a charming, warm-hearted book. Children will find much to identify with, such as: trying hard but not winning, being unsure of a parent’s love, feeling ignored when younger siblings are born, and more. They will be reassured when Koala Lou’s mother expresses her continuing love at the end of the book. The colored pencil illustrations show action and expression well. Sometimes the characters seem to be looking right at the reader.

The author is Australian and the story is set in Australia. This is obvious from the beginning, since the main characters are koalas. In addition, the book mentions an emu, a platypus, and a kookaburra, and the illustrations show other Australian animals. Gum trees feature prominently in the book, and the “Bush Olympics” take place in the Australian bush. The mother uses the phrase, “How’re ya goin’, blossom?” The illustrations are colorful and evoke a strong sense of place.

Reviews/Awards:

“Lofts's colored-pencil drawings portray the Australian flora and fauna beautifully, including a few of the more exotic species.” Publisher’s Weekly

“Koala Lou is appealing and truly believable….Fox brings out the best in her characters, and also conveys an important message about competition.” School Library Journal

Connections:
* Many of the animals pictured will be unfamiliar to American children, yet only a few are named in the book. Name and provide further pictures of other Australian animals.
* Read other Mem Fox books, such as Possom Magic.