Koala Lou by Mem Fox and Illustrated by Pamela Lofts

This book was engaging to read and heartfelt. Any child who has more than one sibling in their family can relate to this book. Whether they are seeking the attention of a mother, father or guardian they will relate to this story. In an ingenious way Mem Fox reaffirms children that their parents still loves them. A child may not be able to understand this when their mother/guardian spends less time with them as they take on more responsibility with fellow siblings. Being the eldest I understand how this can happen. When I was two my first sister was born, and I did not like to share my mother. I am sure at the time it was hard to believe my mother still loved me the same. All I understood was that she spent most of her time with my baby sister.
Fox’s story is successful because it is not just about a Koala in Australia but a mother and daughter relationship that can be related to by multiple audiences. She does a great job with showing and not telling the reader what to believe. One instance of this is when Koala Lou saw how good a climber Koala Klaws was she said “Can I do better than that?” Fox does not say the Koala Lou wonders if she can win but allows readers to deduct that for themselves.

Another aspect of Fox’s genius is that the main focus is the story. However not only does the story teach about how parents still love their children even when they have several others, but that their love is unconditional. Although Koala Lou came second her mother still told her she loved her. Koala Lou didn’t need to be perfect to win her mother’s affection. This message will speak volumes to children. Again Fox does not say, “And Koala Lou’s mother loved her no matter what.” Instead she shows Koala Lou being loved by her mother and being told by her mother that she loves her.  This allows the reader once again to engage the text and be the expert. Just like the name of the Olympics being the Bush Olympics. Although the Fox never mentions Australia just from the name and variety of animals the reader knows the location

The illustrations were perfect for this story. They are colorful and detailed. They allowed the child’s eyes to soak everything in. Each time I reread the story I would catch something I didn’t see before. The style was that of painterly media and the use of a variety of color. What I enjoy the most was the emotions gleaned from the illustrations. Without even reading the text the illustrations told the story. The scene where little Koala Lou watches her mother with her siblings from a lonely tree branch is priceless. You actually want to rush into the illustration itself and give Koala Lou a big hug and whisper into her big bushy ears that everything would be alright. The images are just adorable especially when Koala Lou trains for the big Bush Olympics. After multiple images of her exercising the last one depicts her exhausted on the ground, shoe laces untied. This adds to the story. The text just says she works out “over and over again.” But for a young child the image of Koala Lou eyes glazed and mouth gapping sends the message home.

Pamela Lofts illustrations however are not just limited to the Koala Lou and her mother. She fills her framed images with differed native Australian creatures of all kinds with a variety of color. Most are never mentioned in the text. She adds almost another side of the Olympics. The images reveal the burning torch of brush held by a small animal to mark the beginning of the Olympics much like the real Olympics would begin. She also comically has a Tasmanian Devil and other small creatures measure and time Koala Klaws’s run. Clearly they are judges of the clime with their long measuring tape and large stop watch.

This book would be great for ages third grade on down. Although I think that any age could appreciate what it does. I would read it to a class if I thought some children were dealing with self worth issues but really it could be read at any time. The book could be read to the class or independently as it tailors itself to an array of situations.
Published: 1988