Koala Lou

Fox, Mem. 1988. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. San Diego, CA: Gulliver Books.
ISBN 0152005021

*Plot Summary

Koala Lou decides to enter the gum tree race in the hopes of winning the race and her mother’s heart, so she can hear her favorite words: “Koala Lou, I DO love you.”

*Critical Analysis

Fox has created a character with believable feelings and motivations. Koala Lou’s need to get her mother’s attention will definitely ring true for many young readers. Likewise, Koala Lou’s disappointment and frustration with the results of her big race make her an identifiable character. Similar to Koala Lou, Mom’s love for her children and her busy life make her a familiar character. Lofts’ illustrations add to the narrator's description of the characters. For example, Koala Lou’s sadness after losing the race to Koala Klaws is conveyed expertly as Koala Lou drags her medal behind her with a handkerchief hanging from her nose. A cultural marker for this Australian book is that many of the animals who take part in the story and who are shown in the illustrations live in Australia.

The plot is simple with a clear climax and resolution; readers will find it easy to understand. Most of the action is conveyed through the narration and the illustrations. The setting works together with the plot to add details and cultural markers to the story. The Bush Olympics, the gum tree race, and the many members of the animal kingdom presented in the book help readers learn that the story takes place in Australia. The setting compliments the plot and sets the stage for a satisfying resolution.

Themes of KOALA LOU include insecurity, love and acceptance, setting goals, and dealing with disappointment. Fox’s writing style is straight-forward, but not overly simplified. For example, when training for the gum tree race, Koala Lou “jogged and puffed and lifted weights and panted…she did push-ups till her stomach hurt…” Readers get a sense of the animal’s dedication to winning the race and getting her mother’s attention.

To add to the text, Lofts does an excellent job of balancing some simple illustrations full of emotion and other illustrations which feature lots of activity, many animals, or large settings. These pictures definitely add to the overall feeling of the book and the pacing of the plot. White space is plentiful so that each picture can be focused upon without too many distractions. The animals and vegetation featured in the illustrations are also cultural markers.

*Response

Upon seeing the first illustration of Koala Lou, I wanted to read her story. I could absolutely see how she was “a baby koala so soft and round that all who saw her loved her.” For me the illustrations and text work well together to create a lovely story about a mother’s love and dealing with feelings of disappointment. I think that students will love this book and it is a great book for discussion; I will definitely read it next year in the library.

*Review Excerpts

“A good choice for story hour, bedtime, or reading aloud.”
Horn Book *Starred Review*

“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 Review

*Connections

-Write a journal entry describing a time you lost despite your best efforts.
-Study the illustrations to find animals from Australia. Choose one animal and conduct research about the animal.
-Read other Mem Fox books. How are they the same? How are they different?
-Discuss how the story would be different if Koala Lou had won the gum tree race.
-Discuss how the story would be different if it were set in a different place.