Letter Knowledge

Introduce the story. Talk about the title and author of the book. Ask your child to touch the word “Koala” and then to touch the word “Lou.” Ask her to name the letters in the title.

Oral Language

Introduce the main character. Tell your child that the main character in this story is Koala Lou and she is a koala. Use this opportunity to teach your child about koalas and where they live. For example, you can tell your child that koalas live in Australia. Go online or use a globe or an atlas to show your child where Australia is in comparison to where you live. You might also tell your child that the koala looks a little like a bear, but it is not a bear. It is a marsupial, an animal that carries her babies in a pouch, similar to a kangaroo.  

Oral Language

Relate the story to your child’s experiences. The first page of the story tells of Koala Lou and how everyone around her loves her. Ask your child:

“Who are the people who love you? How do people show you that they love you? How do you show people that you love them?”

The book has a phrase that if often repeated, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!” Be sure to read this phrase with lots of expression in your voice! Ask your child:

“Do you think the mother stopped loving Koala Lou when she got too busy to say, ‘I love you?’”

Introduce vocabulary. Define and discuss new vocabulary words as you read such as “Olympics,” “spectators,” “compete,” “record-breaking.”

Beginning Writing

Ask your child to draw a picture of people in your family. Ask her to draw the family members doing something that makes her feel loved. Encourage your child to write the name of the person and the quote from the story. For example, “Mommy Lou, I DO love you!” or “Daddy Lou, I DO love you!” Your child can then deliver the picture to each person.  

Find more beginning writing and recommended books for 5-year-olds. Or, complete the Preschool Reading Screener, and track your child's progress on the path to reading readiness.