Koala Lou by Mem Fox

 

-from memfox.com

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fox, Mem. 1988. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. New York: Voyager Books, Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0-15-200076-3.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Koala Lou is loved, and she is loved especially well by her mom.  However, as their family expands, her mom has less and less time to give her eldest child. Desperate for her mom’s affections, Koala Lou makes a plan to impress her mom and gain her attention once again. Koala Lou trains and tries her best, but ultimately, she will find out that a mother may become busy, but her love never waivers.  

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
Koala Lou is an Australian tale.  The first clues to the origin are the animals that are included in her story.  Instead of horses, pigs and goats, there is an emu, a platypus and a kookaburra. These animals seem very region specific. 

The natural elements of the story’s setting are also indications of the specificity of the land.  Koala Lou competes in the “Bush Olympics,” and much of the activity happens in a “gum tree.” Gum trees are native to Australia. Pamela Lofts does a great job of illustrating the animals and plants in a way that accurately portrays their natural beauty. A white background dominates most of the pages; the characters are not set in a colorful backdrop, but are placed as the focal point of attention.  This seems intentional, to draw the eye to the details of the animal. Lofts even adorns some of the animals with brightly colored hats to add to the fun.

In the book, the community of animals show love and support for one another. The predator/prey order of things is suspended, and all of the animals get along. There is a mix of the natural and fantastical throughout the book. The realistic elements help the reader relate to the story. For example, the limitations on a mother’s time and attention is a family dynamic many kids are familiar with.  Losing a race or competition is another relatable woe. Whether the reader can connect easily with the setting or not, he/she most likely can relate to the mother and child relationship. 

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Horn Book Guide Starred, February 1990
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.”
Publishers Weekly, August 1989: “Both of Fox's books send out positive messages to children about the wonders of being human: Koala Lou celebrates the eternal love of a mother for her child…”

E. CONNECTIONS
Mem Fox has several books that celebrate the love of a mother.  Along with Koala Lou, she also has, Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild!, which is another great picture book about a mom’s enduring love.
For books that highlight the struggle that siblings can have with sharing their parents’ time and attention, Pecan Pie Baby by Jaqueline Woodson, Sophie Peterman tells the truth! by Sarah Weeks, and The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee would be great read-alouds to share.