Fox, Mem. 1989. Koala Lou. Illustrated by Pamela Lofts. New York: Gulliver Books. ISBN: 0-15-200502-1.
Summary:
Koala Lou is a young koala bear who begins to doubt her mother's love for her. She recalls how her mother used to tell her how much she loved her every single day�but now that she has younger brothers and sisters�she's beginning to feel a bit left out. She decides that if she can win the gum tree climbing event in the Bush Olympics her mother would love her again. She trains hard for the event, but ultimately loses to Koala Klaws. She is very disappointed but all is made right when her mother seeks her out to reassure her with these familiar words: Koala Lou, I DO love you!
Analysis:
Koala Lou is a wonderful picture book by Mem Fox. The story is set in Australia. It features animals (as characters) native to Australia such as koala bears, emus, platypuses, etc. The illustrations add to the book's setting. For example, on page three, the reader is introduced to all of the animals that love Koala Lou. There are more pictured than are discussed in the text. While the setting does add to the reading experience, the heart and soul of the story resides in the universal message of a mother's unconditional love for her child. Koala Lou�like most children�comes to a time in her life in which she doubts her mother's love for her. Her mother is busy taking care of her younger siblings and doesn't have the time to dote on her. She is no longer the only child. This is a very recurrent theme or issue in children's literature. I remember Rosemary Well's Noisy Nora being one of my favorites. (Although oddly enough I am the baby of the family.) The story works in my opinion because it is so universal. Koala Lou may be a koala bear�but she represents every child. It is a very satisfying story because of the reassuring ending. Koala Lou learns that her mother does love her�no matter what.
The illustrations by Pamela Lofts, an Australian, are wonderful. They vary in shape and size throughout the book. For example, one of the largest spreads in the book is on page sixteen and seventeen. This picture illustrates the beginning of the Bush Olympics. One of the animals is carrying a lighted torch. On the next page, the reader sees various animal spectators. It is very celebratory. Many of the animals are wearing bright colored hats and ribbons, etc. It is all very festive. The illustrations match the mood of the text. My favorite illustration is on page twenty-eight. Koala Lou is returning home sad, tired, and disappointed. Pamela Lofts does such a good job of capturing the essence of what Koala Lou is feeling. Overall, I thought Lofts did a great job with this text!
Conclusion:
I loved this book. It is one of my favorite Mem Fox books. I also love Whoever You Are, Wombat Divine, and Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
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