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mdevlin923's review
3.0
Koala Lou is loved by many Australian creatures, especially by her mother...but as Koala Lou gets more and more siblings, she doesn't get as much attention from her mom. When the Bush Olympics happen, Koala Lou is determined to win the gum tree climbing event to gain her mother's love and attention.
A sweet story (set in Australia) about siblings and parent-child relationships.
A sweet story (set in Australia) about siblings and parent-child relationships.
librariandest's review
4.0
The moral of this story is that you don't have to win a gold medal for your mother to love you. Good for a story time because the kids can repeat the refrain and it'll remind parents to tell their kids they love them.
froydis's review against another edition
4.0
a very touching story about a mother's love, from the child's point of view. Nice illustrations as well.
jadejade's review against another edition
4.0
I feel this book will best resonate with people who have large families: as more children join a family, older siblings notice that there is less focus on them. This story addresses the feelings of an older child in this situation. The moral of the story is that Koala Lou always had her mother's love, even if she can no longer be solely devoted to Koala Lou.
Families with abandonment issues should steer clear of this one, as it can bring up unintended hurt.
The colourful art features stylised native animals and beautiful plants.
Families with abandonment issues should steer clear of this one, as it can bring up unintended hurt.
The colourful art features stylised native animals and beautiful plants.
sean67's review against another edition
4.0
Mem Fox is an Australian treasure, remember that USA governing officials the next time she visits you may want to treat her with dignity, as you should all visitors, but I digress, this is another great little tale from our beloved author and good for all young (and not so young) readers.
seaofthesun14's review
4.0
Plot Summary:
This picture book is about a firstborn koala who tries to gain back her mother’s loving attention. After being put aside by her younger siblings needing constant care, Koala Lou sets out on a mission to win her mother’s previous affections by joining the Bush Olympics. In the end, Koala Lou learns a valuable lesson.
Critical Analysis:
This short picture book beautifully details the universal emotions an oldest child faces when siblings take up all of a parent’s attention. Most firstborns can easily relate to the main character, Koala Lou, and cheer her on as she tries to win the Bush Olympics and her mother’s love. Being that the main character is a koala who lives in a gum tree, it is apparent that the setting is in Australia. Another cultural marker that indicates that the book is set in Australia is the incorporation of the following animals that are native to Australia: emus, platypuses, kookaburras, numbats, echidnas, kangaroos, sugar gliders, antechinuses, marsupial mice, spotted quolls, wallabies, bilbies, wombats, tawny frogmouths, Tasmanian devils, and Australian ringtail possums. The illustrations of gum trees and Banksia flowers, which are only found in Australia, are also cultural markers that clearly and accurately represent the environment where Koala Lou lives. The utilization of the metric system and the Australian slang phrase “How’re ya goin’” are consistent with the Australian culture, thus adding to the story’s cultural authenticity. Overall, this picture book invites readers to reflect and realize the unconditional and enduring love a mother has for all of her children.
In regards to the vibrant illustrations, the detailed colored-penciled drawings are appealing and add to the story. The facial expressions and actions of the animals enhance the text and the story’s message. Also, the animals and foliage in this picture book are beautifully drawn and are accurate portrayals of Australia. Due to the details the illustrator dedicated to each drawing, the animals, flowers, and trees are clearly identified and wonderfully take readers to Australia. All in all, I highly recommend this picture book because it illustrates different types of animals and foliage that are unique in Australia and teaches readers that a mother’s love is unconditional and eternal.
This picture book is about a firstborn koala who tries to gain back her mother’s loving attention. After being put aside by her younger siblings needing constant care, Koala Lou sets out on a mission to win her mother’s previous affections by joining the Bush Olympics. In the end, Koala Lou learns a valuable lesson.
Critical Analysis:
This short picture book beautifully details the universal emotions an oldest child faces when siblings take up all of a parent’s attention. Most firstborns can easily relate to the main character, Koala Lou, and cheer her on as she tries to win the Bush Olympics and her mother’s love. Being that the main character is a koala who lives in a gum tree, it is apparent that the setting is in Australia. Another cultural marker that indicates that the book is set in Australia is the incorporation of the following animals that are native to Australia: emus, platypuses, kookaburras, numbats, echidnas, kangaroos, sugar gliders, antechinuses, marsupial mice, spotted quolls, wallabies, bilbies, wombats, tawny frogmouths, Tasmanian devils, and Australian ringtail possums. The illustrations of gum trees and Banksia flowers, which are only found in Australia, are also cultural markers that clearly and accurately represent the environment where Koala Lou lives. The utilization of the metric system and the Australian slang phrase “How’re ya goin’” are consistent with the Australian culture, thus adding to the story’s cultural authenticity. Overall, this picture book invites readers to reflect and realize the unconditional and enduring love a mother has for all of her children.
In regards to the vibrant illustrations, the detailed colored-penciled drawings are appealing and add to the story. The facial expressions and actions of the animals enhance the text and the story’s message. Also, the animals and foliage in this picture book are beautifully drawn and are accurate portrayals of Australia. Due to the details the illustrator dedicated to each drawing, the animals, flowers, and trees are clearly identified and wonderfully take readers to Australia. All in all, I highly recommend this picture book because it illustrates different types of animals and foliage that are unique in Australia and teaches readers that a mother’s love is unconditional and eternal.
kesterbird's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not so sure about the story, but I LOVE the cute little marsupials. The one page with the rainbow bunting and the numbat and the feathertail glider? If I had room on my walls, I'd frame it.
museoffire's review against another edition
5.0
There's virtually nothing Mem Fox has written that I won't read and this book is no exception.
Koala Lou is a sweet natured, content baby koala secure in the love of her mama who tell her everyday "Koala Lou I DO love you!" But the years pass and Lou now has baby brother's and sisters who take up lots of mama's time so she no longer has time to tell Lou how much she loves her, though she loves her just the same.
Koala Lou decides if she had win the gum tree climbing event at the Bush Olympics her mama will be so proud that of course she catch koala Lou in her arms and cry "Koala Lou I DO love you" again! SO she trains and trains, determined to earn her mama's love again.
Of course what Koala Lou doesn't realize is even if she can't always find the time to say it her mama loves her just as much as she always has.
This is a wonderful, funny, and warm reminder for all kiddos and their parents that love can be expressed and shared in a million different ways and isn't something that needs to be proved. Its full of Fox's always wonderful comical and warm story telling style and delightful, pastel illustrations of hilarious koala's and other marvelous inhabitants of the Australian Bush.
This book is a straight up delight.
Koala Lou is a sweet natured, content baby koala secure in the love of her mama who tell her everyday "Koala Lou I DO love you!" But the years pass and Lou now has baby brother's and sisters who take up lots of mama's time so she no longer has time to tell Lou how much she loves her, though she loves her just the same.
Koala Lou decides if she had win the gum tree climbing event at the Bush Olympics her mama will be so proud that of course she catch koala Lou in her arms and cry "Koala Lou I DO love you" again! SO she trains and trains, determined to earn her mama's love again.
Of course what Koala Lou doesn't realize is even if she can't always find the time to say it her mama loves her just as much as she always has.
This is a wonderful, funny, and warm reminder for all kiddos and their parents that love can be expressed and shared in a million different ways and isn't something that needs to be proved. Its full of Fox's always wonderful comical and warm story telling style and delightful, pastel illustrations of hilarious koala's and other marvelous inhabitants of the Australian Bush.
This book is a straight up delight.