KOALA LOU written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Pamela Lofts

Review by Christi De Leon

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fox, Mem. Koala Lou. Ill. By Pamela Lofts. Boston: HMH Books for Young Readers, 1988. ISBN 0152000763

PLOT SUMMARY

A firstborn Koala named Koala Lou likes when her mother tells her that she loves her all the time. However, when Koala Lou’s mother gets busy with the new little brothers and sisters, she forgets to tell her how much she loves her as often. Since this made Koala Lou sad, she decided to enter the Bush Olympics in hopes to hear her mother say, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This picture book celebrates a mother’s unconditional love. It is easy to sympathize with Koala Lou for the lack of loving attention. The moment when Koala Lou is about to compete in the gum tree climbing event engages the reader with some suspense. Despite the outcome, the comforting words at the end will give readers a warm, fuzzy feeling. Even though this story is about koalas in Australia, it has the potential to bring meaning to anyone, anywhere. In particular, this book is great for a firstborn child who is going to have a new sibling. Through this story, readers are given the message that a mother’s love is endless and unchanging.

Lofts' colorful illustrations in this story are simple and sweet. Her colored-pencil artwork captures the Australian wildlife and landscape wonderfully. The illustrations are particularly helpful in conveying the mother’s struggles to share her attention amongst all of her children. Full of excited animals with fun party hats, the illustrations of the Bush Olympics are also quite engaging. Words such as “splendid” and phrases such as “How’re ya goin’, blossom?” depict the writing of Mem Fox as an Australian author. Aside from a few subtle words and phrases, most of the writing throughout the book is similar to what is written in America.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From The Horn Book: “A first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud.”

CONNECTIONS

Gather other Mem Fox books such as:

Good Night, Sleep Tight. Ill. by Judy Horacek. ISBN 0545533708

Hello, Baby. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. ISBN 1442434325

Possible activities:

Practice sequencing events in the story using a graphic organizer.

Use journal writing to make connections with the story.