Koala Lou [Hardcover]

Mem Fox (Author), Pamela Lofts (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

When Koala Lou’s mother becomes so busy that she forgets to tell her firstborn how much she loves her, Koala Lou enters the Bush Olympics, intending to win an event and her mother’s love all at one time. “A first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud.”--The Horn Book

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fox's two new books join Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge as perfect examples of why the Australian writer has become one of today's top authors of children's books. Koala Lou is loved by everyone, but it is her mother who loves her most of all. She often tells her daughter, "Koala Lou, I DO love you." As the family grows and her mother gets busier, Koala Lou yearns to hear those words again. She sets out to win the Bush Olympics as a way to gain her mother's attention. Lofts's colored-pencil drawings portray the Australian flora and fauna beautifully, including a few of the more exotic species. In Night Noises , elderly Lilly Laceby lives with her fat old dog Butch Aggie. While Lily dozes in front of the fire, Butch Aggie becomes increasingly concerned by the sounds of cars, voices, knocking and shouts. At last, Lily finally wakes up to answer the door, where a veritable mob waits to wish her a happy 90th birthday. Denton uses cartoon balloons and large letters to show the simultaneous action. 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 without the sentimentality of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever , and Night Noises lovingly bridges the generation gap. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Fox's two new books join Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge as perfect examples of why the Australian writer has become one of today's top authors of children's books. Koala Lou is loved by everyone, but it is her mother who loves her most of all. She often tells her daughter, "Koala Lou, I DO love you." As the family grows and her mother gets busier, Koala Lou yearns to hear those words again. She sets out to win the Bush Olympics as a way to gain her mother's attention. Lofts's colored-pencil drawings portray the Australian flora and fauna beautifully, including a few of the more exotic species. In Night Noises , elderly Lilly Laceby lives with her fat old dog Butch Aggie. While Lily dozes in front of the fire, Butch Aggie becomes increasingly concerned by the sounds of cars, voices, knocking and shouts. At last, Lily finally wakes up to answer the door, where a veritable mob waits to wish her a happy 90th birthday. Denton uses cartoon balloons and large letters to show the simultaneous action. 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 without the sentimentality of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever , and Night Noises lovingly bridges the generation gap. Ages 3-6. (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (September 22, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152005021
• ISBN-13: 978-0152005023
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Time for Bed, and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, November 28, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Koala Lou (Paperback)

This is about a Koala named Koala Lou who thinks her mother does not love her anymore. So Koala Lou goes gum-tree climbing in the Bush Olympics to get her mother's attention. This book taught me that no matter what you do, your mother will always love you!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1st Graders think this is the best book in our class!, November 28, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Koala Lou (Paperback)

Koala Lou entered the Bush Olympics Gum Tree Climbing event because her mother stopped saying, "Koala Lou, I do love you." Koala Lou won 2nd place and thought her mother wouldn't love her anymore. However, her mom said she would always love her no matter what.

Almost all the students in our 1st grade class loved this book! We learned that our parents love us no matter what.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story..., November 19, 2003

By 

C.S. (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Koala Lou (Paperback)

I know a childrens book shouldn't make you cry, but I was actually crying in the end! What a wonderful, wonderful story, and beautiful ending! Lovely story about hard work to obtain a goal, but also that our children don't have to do ANYTHING to earn our love - we love them no matter what. Highly recommend this little book.