Koala Lou
A Review by Amanda Kendall
Bibliography:
Fox, Mem. 1989. Koala Lou. Illustrated by Pamela Lofts. Orlando: Voyager Books.
ISBN
978-0440846512
Plot Summary:
Koala Lou is loved and adored by everyone in her world, especially her mother who takes every opportunity to tell her "Koala Lou, I DO love you" (Fox 1989). But as the years go by, Koala Lou's family continues to grow until her mother no longer has the time to tell her how much she loves her. Devastated and hurt that she has lost her mother's love, Koala Lou sets off to win it back. She trains for the gum tree climbing event in the upcoming Bush Olympics. On the day of the big event, Koala Lou gives a very impressive performance but still comes in second place. She runs off to hide and cry. She returns home to find her mother waiting to embrace her in a giant hug and the comforting words she longed to hear, "Koala Lou, I DO love you" (Fox 1989).
Critical Analysis:
Koala Lou
is filled with universal truths that will resonate with readers young and
old. It captures common feelings of older siblings: feelings of losing the affection of someone you
love; feelings of being replaced or pushed aside; feelings of
working hard and still falling short and; feelings of coming home to
find comfort. It is more than a simple story about a koala.
Fox's lyrical text is expertly paced. Each page has a small to moderate amount of text with just the right dose of repetition to keep even the youngest readers engaged. Fox effortlessly weaves simple sentences with complex to create an accessible story for her young readers. The repeated use of the line, "Koala Lou, I DO love you" brings continuity throughout the story and clearly conveys the power of a mother's unconditional love. Mem Fox honors the big feelings of her young readers through Koala Lou's thoughts, actions, and lessons learned along the way.
Lofts' detailed illustrations are both vibrant and soft at the same time. The blends of colors and texture soften the images to match the sweetness of the text, yet the occasional use of bright pink, orange, and purple make the images pop off the page. The white background strategically focuses the reader's attention on the character's facial expressions and emotions throughout the story to make Koala Lou even more relatable to her readers. Splashes of bright color are added into trees, flowers, and the animal's accessories (specifically hats) capturing the magic and celebration of the Australian outback.
Cultural markers for this text are beautifully woven into the rich story through the illustrations. Set in the Australian outback the illustrations include a wide variety of fauna native only to Australia including the koala, kookaburra, Tasmanian devil, platypus, echidna, emu, and more. Lofts took great care to capture the flora of Australia as well including the very recognizable red flowering gum tree, kangaroo paw, and old man banksia. With the exception of the colorful hats worn by the animals, every image reflects the unique Australian landscape. Fox adds to the authenticity of the story by including an Australian colloquialism, "How're ya goin'?" and using meters to measure the distance Koala Klaws and Koala Lou climb on the gum tree. Together, the illustrations and the text, prove to be a celebration of the Australian landscape and culture, while offering a story that resonates with readers across the globe.
Review Excerpts & Awards:
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (August 11, 1989) "Koala Lou celebrates the eternal love of a mother for her child without the sentimentality of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever."
KIRKUS REVIEWS (1989) "This satisfying reworking of a familiar and ever-important theme is appealingly illustrated--bright colors, soft-edged sculptural forms, precise detail, dozens of expressive animals. Another winning import from one of Australia's favorite authors."
KIRKUS REVIEWS (1989) "This satisfying reworking of a familiar and ever-important theme is appealingly illustrated--bright colors, soft-edged sculptural forms, precise detail, dozens of expressive animals. Another winning import from one of Australia's favorite authors."
- KOALA Children's Choice Awards Shortlist, 1999 (10 years)
Curricular Connections:
- Pair with an informational text on koalas for some partner research or whole class learning.
- Conduct a koala directed drawing lesson encouraging students to use a variety of hues to color their koala like the illustrations from Pamela Lofts.
- Research Australian flora and fauna to identify the animals and plants used in the illustrations.
- Highlight the importance of sportsmanship and hard work while playing a variety of Minute to Win It games with a Bush Olympics theme.
- Share the background story of Koala Lou from Mem Fox's website and facilitate a discussion about how writers get ideas, develop their stories, and revise their work.
