Koala Lou

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fox, Mem. 1988.KOALA LOU. ILL by Pamela Lofts. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152005021

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This story is about Koala Lou who likes her mother to tell her she loves her. But when her mother’s attention begins to be shared with the new additions to her family, Koala longs to hear her mother say “Koala Lou, I do love you.” Koala decides to compete in the Bush Olympics in hopes to win back her mother’s attention. When Koala doesn’t win the race up the gum tree, she begins to realize that her mother loves her for who she and not because she wins or loses the race.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Kola Lou is a heartwarming story about a Koala who feels insecure with the arrival of her new siblings and her mother’s attention that must now be shared. Young readers will be able to relate to this story and the emotions that it presents. Mem Fox, who is the author, is a native of Australia and brings to the story her knowledge and background which creates a story with authenticity. There are several cultural markers that are found throughout the story. These markers include the setting which takes place in the Outback of Australia and incorporates a koala as the main character which is a native animal of that region. Other animals that Fox presents in the story include the emu, platypus, kookaburra, and the kangaroo which are all natives animals found in Australia. When Koal decides to enter a tree climbing contest to help get back her mother’s attention, Fox chooses to use a gum tree which is also native to Australia. The language that Fox uses reflects the region of Australia and is evident when Koala Lou’s mother asks, “ How’re ya goin’ blossom?”
Pamela Loft illustrates this story with colored pencil drawings that are bright, colorful and creatively done. The illustrations enhance the already heartwarming text together to bring both emotion and visual imagery to the story which will invite readers to read this story time and time again.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “In a gentle tale set in the Australian bush, Koala Lou wants to win the Bush Olympics. A good choice for story hour, bedtime, or reading aloud”

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

5. CONNECTION:
Other books by Mem Fox

Fox, Mem. POSSUM MAGIC. ISBN 9780152632243
Fox, Mem. WHOEVER YOU ARE. ISBN 9780152060305
Fox, Mem. TOUGH BORIS. ISBN 9780152018917