Sally's Children's Book 1/8

Koala Lou

Written by: Mem Fox

Illustrated by: Pamela Lofts

This picture book was my childhood favourite which I read over and over again, although I had not read it for a very long time. I thought this course was a great opportunity to look back on one of my favourite books and see how my view and interpretation of the story may have changed. I found that by looking back at this story as an adult I was able to identify the underlying meanings and life lessons that were present, even though as a child I most probably was unaware of the depth of the story.

This story describes a beautiful mother-daughter relationship between Koala Lou and her mother and displays the unconditional love a mother should provide for her child. This was a crucial aspect of the story that I was, and still am able to understand and relate to. This story also deals with issues regarding the changes in a child’s life including the arrival of new siblings and the importance of trying our best rather than winning or losing. 

The characters and settings illustrated in this book are stunning and beautifully represent our country and our wildlife. I think this is an important aspect of this book, as many children’s books focus on jungle animals or pets and I believe that it is essential for students to be exposed to the nature and animals that are native to our country.   

Overall I think this is a wonderful story with soft detailed illustrations that depict the story perfectly. Now looking back at the story as an adult I have developed a deeper appreciation and love of the story and the meaning and messages which are conveyed. 

Introduction: Sally Corbett

My name is Sally Corbett and I am currently in my second year of studying a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary/Middle) at University. I have always been passionate about teaching, learning and education, as I believe the most powerful asset you can give a person is knowledge. I believe that teachers play a crucial role in the lives of all children and that it is our responsibility and duty to help students reach their full potential. This blog will focus on key components of education including language and literature, as through these topics students are able to learn about and understand aspects of the world through texts.

Throughout my childhood I was passionate about reading and enjoyed spending hours in my room reading books, which is where I believe my love of children’s books has come from. I am now able to read the books I once innocently read with a more critical perspective and develop a deeper understanding of the meanings and intentions of the stories. I am an extremely visual person which is why I think I am drawn to picture books, as they have the ability to simulate your mind and imagination and allow you to follow the authors thoughts whist forming your own. I have always found comfort in books, especially picture books, as throughout my childhood I was able to relate to the characters and relationships described in the stories, which allowed me to engage with the stories on a much deeper level. 

 

I look forward to developing my knowledge and understanding of language and literacy throughout this course and working collaboratively with my peers. I believe all students should be exposed to the knowledge, skills and experiences language and literacy offers. Therefore I hope to increase my own understanding in order to be able to ignite my future students love of literature.