The Koala Who Could

This is a lovely and lively, colourful picturebook where the energy and fun bursts of the page. Kevin the Koala is described as being,a nicer grey fellow you never would meet, as soft as a soft thing from ear-tufts to feet'. The other residents, who all live on the ground, try inviting him to come down from his favourite tree to join in their games but Kevin thinks it is 'too fast and too loud and too big and too strange' down there and so he remains clinging still to his tree as that is what he is good at. He is the 'king of the staying-still kings'. For months, he watches the other animals below, all the time thinking that if he did dare to go down he would miss his home too much and it was just too risky to try. That is until suddenly and shockingly, matters are taken out of his hands. Thanks to a pesky woodpecker his tree, with Kevin still clinging on to it, comes crashing to the ground with 'a cracking and pinging crash and a wallop'. Thankfully all the other animals are there to help him, and Kevin is surprised to find that instead of being upset or scared, he is 'springy and light and happy and young' as the worst thing he could imagine happening had happened and it wasn't so bad. From then on, Kevin is happy to join in with his friends, he has a new can-do attitude because 'life can be great when you try something new!'. A catchy rhythm and plenty of onomatopoeic words; a message of understanding to real-life Kevins and a gentle push to them to venture out of their comfort zones; an endearing hero in Kevin the Koala and the engaging surrounding characters (which include a hyena family, a wombat, kangaroos, a brilliant cameo of a digeridoo-playing echidna and a jerboa-like creature); and fantastically warm, bright, and lively illustrations which are so humorous, engaging, and eye-catching all make this such a wonderful, fun, joyful story to read and to share. Picture book / Ages 3-6 years / Reviewed by Natalie Plimmer.

Suggested Reading Age 3+

The Koala who Could is a beautifully written book which children will enjoy for many reasons. As with many successful children's picture books, the author has ensured that the story rhymes so to make the book engaging and memorable. Set in Australia, this book allows children to become accustomed to a new set of animals that they may not be familiar with (Koala Bears, Wombats, Kangaroos, Dingos etc.). The story is based around the main character of Kevin the Koala Bear. Kevin is an animal that likes to keep things the same. Exactly the same. Change is something that he is not bothered by, despite the best efforts of his animal friends. However, one day, the actions of a harmless woodpecker soon provide Kevin with the opportunity to see that change can be a wonderful thing. This book could be enjoyable for both a bedtime story or used during a PHSE lesson in school to introduce children to the concept of changes in our life. Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Kyle Matravers, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 3+