Koala Lou - By Mem Fox Illustrated By: Pamela Lofts
Bibliography:
Fox, M., & Lofts, P. (1992). Koala Lou. Association for the Blind of Western Australia.
Plot Summary:
A young koala, longing to hear her mother speak lovingly to her as she did before other children came along, plans to win her distracted parent's attention.
Critical Analysis:
This brightly illustrated realistic rendering of the Australian outback appears to be the story of the way completion brought a mother and daughter together, but proves to relay a much deeper insight on parent-child relationships. Koala Lou is a sweet and juvenile koala whose mother expresses her affection for the young koala each day throughout her infant years. As Koala Lou grows older she beings to venture off and explore the world on her own, developing new philosophy’s and a new sense of self as many young readers experience in their late childhood/early teen years. Yet each time Koala Lou leaves the home the family shares her mother whispers her affections for her daughter. As time passes the their koala family grows larger leaving less time for Koala Lou’s mother to spend with her eldest daughter. Lou begins to lose faith in her mother’s love and decides through competition she can earn back her affections. Koala Lou’s decision to compete for her mother’s affection illustrates a complex many children experience when dealing with a divide between loved ones; if I prove I am the best, if I prove I am worthy, I will redeem adoration.
Review Excerpt:
Horn Book
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's Weekly
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 without the sentimentality of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever .
Connections:
Australian Culture
Mother & Child Tale
Literature Guide to Koala Lou
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