Koala Lou
by Mem Fox
A. Fox, Mem. 1988. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. New York: Harcourt Brace & Co. ISBN 0-15-200502-1.
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Beloved Australian author Mem Fox let's the reader see inside the head of a young koala and share the little koala's anxieties of not feeling as loved by her mother as she once did. Koala Lou enjoyed being a single child and all the love and attention that came with it. However, Koala Lou soon had siblings with which she had to share her mother's time and attention. She decides to enter the Bush Olympics in hopes of winning a gold medal. She just knew if she were best at something, she would once again here her mom say, "Koala Lou, I DO love you!" Unfortunately, in spite of all her training, Koala Lou comes in second place. However, when she finally arrives at home that evening, her mother throws her arms around Koala Lou and lovingly reassures her with, "Koala Lou, I DO love you!" but not for her abilities or what she does but for just being Koala Lou.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
The love and unmistakable bond between a mother and child is beautifully captured in this sweet story by Australian Mem Fox. Koala Lou, the young koala and main character in this story set in the Australian bush, makes the mistake that so many children make: my mom will love me more if I'm the best at something. As the plot continues, Koala Lou faces her percieved loss of her mother's love the best way she knows how - to do something the best. This is a common fear and the same resulting actions that so many children go through at some point in their life either as a child or as an adult.
Although the setting is clearly in Australia the only other cultural markers found are the various animals Koala Lou encounters including other koalas, kookaburras, emus, and bush babies. Each of these animals, along with the others in the story, are all indigenous to Australia. The colorful illustrations, by artist Pamela Lofts, therefore are important cultural markers.
This picture book is great for all ages, even adults. Fox gives readers a strong reminder that a mother's love is not conditional - it is undeniably unconditional and there's nothing better than that.
D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
The Horn Book Magazine: "A first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud."
School Library Journal: "Koala Lou is appealing and truly believable ....Fox brings out the best in her characters, and also conveys an important message about competition."
Publisher's Weekly: "A perfect example of why the Australian writer has become one of today's top authors of children's books."
E. CONNECTIONS
1. Other books by Mem Fox:
2. Visit the Mem Fox website, http://www.memfox.net/ to find out the story behind the stories and to hear the author read aloud several selections.
F. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
I read this delightful book for the first time a few weeks ago. I was familiar with Wildfrid Gordon but that was the only Fox book I'd ever read. After reading it for myself a couple of times I shared it with my 5-year old daughter, Caitlin, at bedtime. It was a lot of fun reading it and looking at the various animals with her. I was not sure if she would "get" the message but it came through loud and clear. Her comment was, "So that's like with me and soccer. Even when I don't get a goal you and Daddy still love me and think I did good, right?" Out of the mouths of babes...
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