What do you think?
Rate this book
I Don't Like Koala
What’s not to love about a cute, cuddly...creepy toy koala? This is the story of a boy and the stuffed animal he just can’t seem to shake.
Adam does not like Koala. Koala is a little creepy.
Adam tries explaining this to his parents. He tries putting Koala away—far away. He tries taking Koala on a long, long walk. Nothing works. Will Adam ever be rid of Koala?
This darkly funny debut picture book from Sean Ferrell and Charles Santoso celebrates imagination and bravery while addressing a universal childhood dilemma: what to do about that one stuffed animal who just won’t stop staring at you.
Adam does not like Koala. Koala is a little creepy.
Adam tries explaining this to his parents. He tries putting Koala away—far away. He tries taking Koala on a long, long walk. Nothing works. Will Adam ever be rid of Koala?
This darkly funny debut picture book from Sean Ferrell and Charles Santoso celebrates imagination and bravery while addressing a universal childhood dilemma: what to do about that one stuffed animal who just won’t stop staring at you.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
5 people are currently reading
640 people want to read
About the author
Sean Ferrell
7 books126 followersSean Ferrell lives and works in New York City. He writes novels, middle grade sci-fi, and picture books.
His most recent work is The Sinister Secrets of Singe .
His novels include Man In The Empty Suit and Numb: A Novel.
His picture books are I Don't Like Koala and The Snurtch.
Sean has been published in several literary journals, including The Adirondack Review which awarded him the Fulton Prize for his short story "Building an Elephant."
His most recent work is The Sinister Secrets of Singe .
His novels include Man In The Empty Suit and Numb: A Novel.
His picture books are I Don't Like Koala and The Snurtch.
Sean has been published in several literary journals, including The Adirondack Review which awarded him the Fulton Prize for his short story "Building an Elephant."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
March 1, 2020
sometimes i can't help but feel there's some kind of goddess of synchronicity guiding my reading choices. it's eerie.
see, i bought this book here - a picture book about a little boy and a stuffed koala, expecting nothing more than a cute story with adorable pictures. HOWEVER, i did NOT expect it to basically be the jr. version of this horror novella i just read: The Bear Who Wouldn't Leave.
i read this koala book late last night, and with every page i turned, i became more and more apprehensive about where the story was going to go because in the novella, things did not quite achieve the happily-ever-after ending you generally want to be presenting to your kid right before you abandon them to the darkness of their bedroom so you can go do grown-up things. like eat all the ice cream while you read a young adult novel.
i want to share my experience with you, and i know i risk spoiling two books at once here, but i'm feeling a little reckless so here we go!!
in both stories, a little boy receives a stuffed bear* as a present, and he hates it, believing it to be evil, or in this case the most terrible terrible..
in both stories, the boy tries to get rid of the bear, leaving it in many different places, some quite far from his home.
in both stories, every morning the bear is somehow BACK, with his terrible following eyes:
in both stories, the boy tries to relate to the adults how horrible this bear is, but no one will listen.
and then the stories diverge somewhat, and the parallels become a bit more dubious, although if my english degree is good for anything, it's for artful bullshittery and persuasive textual observations; making comparisons where no one had detected similarities before. so i could do it, but it would definitely be too granular for anyone who has not read both works, and it would definitely risk spoilers. i mean, if a thirty page picture book could ever be "spoiled."
to focus on the book itself instead of some situation only relevant to me - it's pretty adorable, although i'm not quite sure why this kid hates this koala so much. while it's true it looks more like an owl than any koala i've ever seen:
and birds are inherently evil, there's nothing else overtly evil about it; certainly not to the extent that you'd need to hike a million miles to dispose of the thing.
this one is way eviler:
having a stuffed animal come back to you again and again like a boomerang isn't necessarily evil - i'd like for more of my possessions to have this feature: anti-theft, anti-loss, anti-fire damage… everyone wins!
but kids don't always have the most developed sense of perspective, so i guess i can understand why this would be horrifying and not a really great selling point.
it's a cute book whose message seems to be "don't just hate on things and get freaked out by them until you honestly assess the ways in which they might be useful to you one day." which might be a cynical reading of the book. but it's better than "if someone gives you a gift and you hate it and try to throw it away and complain about it to them all the time, your guilt over acting like a little brat will haunt you every single night and follow you for the rest of your life."
sweet dreams!
* step off, biologists! i know that a koala isn't technically a bear, but if you're gonna slap the word "bear" into something's colloquial name, i'm gonna be forced to refer to it as a bear when making astute literary criticisms. FORCED!!
come to my blog!
see, i bought this book here - a picture book about a little boy and a stuffed koala, expecting nothing more than a cute story with adorable pictures. HOWEVER, i did NOT expect it to basically be the jr. version of this horror novella i just read: The Bear Who Wouldn't Leave.
i read this koala book late last night, and with every page i turned, i became more and more apprehensive about where the story was going to go because in the novella, things did not quite achieve the happily-ever-after ending you generally want to be presenting to your kid right before you abandon them to the darkness of their bedroom so you can go do grown-up things. like eat all the ice cream while you read a young adult novel.
i want to share my experience with you, and i know i risk spoiling two books at once here, but i'm feeling a little reckless so here we go!!
in both stories, a little boy receives a stuffed bear* as a present, and he hates it, believing it to be evil, or in this case the most terrible terrible..
in both stories, the boy tries to get rid of the bear, leaving it in many different places, some quite far from his home.
in both stories, every morning the bear is somehow BACK, with his terrible following eyes:
in both stories, the boy tries to relate to the adults how horrible this bear is, but no one will listen.
and then the stories diverge somewhat, and the parallels become a bit more dubious, although if my english degree is good for anything, it's for artful bullshittery and persuasive textual observations; making comparisons where no one had detected similarities before. so i could do it, but it would definitely be too granular for anyone who has not read both works, and it would definitely risk spoilers. i mean, if a thirty page picture book could ever be "spoiled."
to focus on the book itself instead of some situation only relevant to me - it's pretty adorable, although i'm not quite sure why this kid hates this koala so much. while it's true it looks more like an owl than any koala i've ever seen:
and birds are inherently evil, there's nothing else overtly evil about it; certainly not to the extent that you'd need to hike a million miles to dispose of the thing.
this one is way eviler:
having a stuffed animal come back to you again and again like a boomerang isn't necessarily evil - i'd like for more of my possessions to have this feature: anti-theft, anti-loss, anti-fire damage… everyone wins!
but kids don't always have the most developed sense of perspective, so i guess i can understand why this would be horrifying and not a really great selling point.
it's a cute book whose message seems to be "don't just hate on things and get freaked out by them until you honestly assess the ways in which they might be useful to you one day." which might be a cynical reading of the book. but it's better than "if someone gives you a gift and you hate it and try to throw it away and complain about it to them all the time, your guilt over acting like a little brat will haunt you every single night and follow you for the rest of your life."
sweet dreams!
* step off, biologists! i know that a koala isn't technically a bear, but if you're gonna slap the word "bear" into something's colloquial name, i'm gonna be forced to refer to it as a bear when making astute literary criticisms. FORCED!!
come to my blog!
July 10, 2019
It's hard to say what makes kids fall in love with one particular toy while they are indifferent to, or even repelled by, others. A stuffed critter that appeals to grownups may prove unattractive, or even terrifying to a child. Or, vice versa.
I'm no judge; this
is what I willingly slept with as a child.
Take my youngest son, Pete. (But good luck prying him off the couch!) As a young squirt, he was inordinately frightened by the devilish Chucky from the movie Child's Play.
He had never seen the film, but somehow he knew who that evil imp was, and believe me, he was sore afraid. Well, one Christmas, I bought him the cutest stuffed orangutan I'd ever seen.
As Pete is a fan of all things monkey and ape, I was sure it would be his favorite present. He tore open the box, saw that tuft of orange fur, and was across the room in two bounds, screaming, "It's Chucky, it's Chucky!" Yeah . . . a Kodak moment for sure. Even after we got him calmed down, he refused to have anything to do with that stuffed ape. His older brother happily assumed ownership of the critter, who was immediately named Chucky, and today the poor maligned beast resides in my sewing room.
Adam, the boy in this book, is given a stuffed creature he finds "unlikable." And, even though he tries to get rid of Koala, the darned thing keeps reappearing. Whether or not Koala actually follows Adam around, or if the child's parents keep relocating what they think is Adam's favorite toy is left to the reader's imagination. I don't find Koala to be creepy, just sort of sad and lonely looking. I was however pretty annoyed at the fact that Adam's parents completely ignore their son when he tries to explain that he doesn't like the toy. If I had tried forcing Pete to love Chucky . . . well, I guess he'd be telling his therapist all about me by now.
Anyway, I'll give this one four stars because Charles Santoso's artwork is so darned endearing. And, because it brought back somegreat funny memories.
I'm no judge; this
is what I willingly slept with as a child.
Take my youngest son, Pete. (But good luck prying him off the couch!) As a young squirt, he was inordinately frightened by the devilish Chucky from the movie Child's Play.
He had never seen the film, but somehow he knew who that evil imp was, and believe me, he was sore afraid. Well, one Christmas, I bought him the cutest stuffed orangutan I'd ever seen.
As Pete is a fan of all things monkey and ape, I was sure it would be his favorite present. He tore open the box, saw that tuft of orange fur, and was across the room in two bounds, screaming, "It's Chucky, it's Chucky!" Yeah . . . a Kodak moment for sure. Even after we got him calmed down, he refused to have anything to do with that stuffed ape. His older brother happily assumed ownership of the critter, who was immediately named Chucky, and today the poor maligned beast resides in my sewing room.
Adam, the boy in this book, is given a stuffed creature he finds "unlikable." And, even though he tries to get rid of Koala, the darned thing keeps reappearing. Whether or not Koala actually follows Adam around, or if the child's parents keep relocating what they think is Adam's favorite toy is left to the reader's imagination. I don't find Koala to be creepy, just sort of sad and lonely looking. I was however pretty annoyed at the fact that Adam's parents completely ignore their son when he tries to explain that he doesn't like the toy. If I had tried forcing Pete to love Chucky . . . well, I guess he'd be telling his therapist all about me by now.
Anyway, I'll give this one four stars because Charles Santoso's artwork is so darned endearing. And, because it brought back some
August 16, 2017
When your parents want you to be friends with a person whom you don't like, no matter what arguments you provide, you are bound to stick to that friend.
Sometimes it becomes a headache when this friend follows you everywhere you go, other times it can be proved as a boon.
Nice illustrations and deeply dark. Recommended to adults who read children's books.
Sometimes it becomes a headache when this friend follows you everywhere you go, other times it can be proved as a boon.
Nice illustrations and deeply dark. Recommended to adults who read children's books.
April 2, 2018
I get it. Some stuffed animals are creepy looking. The kid doesn't like this one and his parents somehow misinterpret this as blind love and devotion. It's also so much not the message* I want to be giving my 2 year old who is a little too young to get whatever humor might be in this. So if your kids are still of an impressionable age, skip it. It would definitely have gone over better with my elementary school students. As it is, I'm returning it to the library without a re-read (an unthinkable thing in our house).
*to me, this is telling kids that:
a) this thing is actually creepy - I really don't want my kid thinking toys are creepy
b) adults will refuse to listen to you even when you say something feels wrong, scary and creepy (a big deal)
c) you might as well get used to the thing that makes you uncomfortable, because it's not going away (again, not a message I want sent).
I know it's "just a book". But when my toddler likes a book, we read it a million times (at least if feels like a million) and I really don't need him getting those messages that often.
*to me, this is telling kids that:
a) this thing is actually creepy - I really don't want my kid thinking toys are creepy
b) adults will refuse to listen to you even when you say something feels wrong, scary and creepy (a big deal)
c) you might as well get used to the thing that makes you uncomfortable, because it's not going away (again, not a message I want sent).
I know it's "just a book". But when my toddler likes a book, we read it a million times (at least if feels like a million) and I really don't need him getting those messages that often.
October 4, 2015
A slightly dark, quirky, picture book which seems to be trending. I enjoyed the funny story immensely and the illustrations are stunning. I wish this book could be a Caldecott contender but I believe the illustrator is not a resident of the U.S.
February 8, 2019
Guess what? I don't like Koala, either. But I like the parents even less.
This is basically a book about a boy whose parents give him a super creepy toy. Adam hates the thing, but his parents push it on him every chance they get. I guess they think he'll eventually come around... and he does, but then the parents decide that they don't like Koala. Tough cookies, you pushy jerks. Why did you buy the stupid thing in the first place and inflict it on your poor child if you didn't like it?
The story made me really uncomfortable. If there's a toy or an object that's scaring you, the last thing you want is for it to be continually shoved in your face (or put with you in bed). I felt sorry for Adam, and thought the kid had more sense than his parents. I guess what bothered me is that the kid was essentially saying, "No!" repeatedly, while the parents weren't respecting that answer and were instead saying, "Yes! You'll like it." Consent applies to little kids, too. It's not the same thing as eating your vegetables or wearing your seatbelt; it's not a health or safety issue. If Koala made Adam uncomfortable, his parents should've respected that and stopped pushing the toy on him.
The illustrations are kind of cute and really capture the creepiness of that toy. So while I didn't like the story, I did enjoy the pictures.
Overall, I don't think I'd recommend this one. Maybe if the parents had been a little more respectful of their child's fears, rather than just assuming he'd come around and like the toy. (It almost felt like an ego thing for them, since I'm assuming they're the ones that bought the toy in the first place; that kid was going to sleep with that koala, no matter what!)
This is basically a book about a boy whose parents give him a super creepy toy. Adam hates the thing, but his parents push it on him every chance they get. I guess they think he'll eventually come around... and he does, but then the parents decide that they don't like Koala. Tough cookies, you pushy jerks. Why did you buy the stupid thing in the first place and inflict it on your poor child if you didn't like it?
The story made me really uncomfortable. If there's a toy or an object that's scaring you, the last thing you want is for it to be continually shoved in your face (or put with you in bed). I felt sorry for Adam, and thought the kid had more sense than his parents. I guess what bothered me is that the kid was essentially saying, "No!" repeatedly, while the parents weren't respecting that answer and were instead saying, "Yes! You'll like it." Consent applies to little kids, too. It's not the same thing as eating your vegetables or wearing your seatbelt; it's not a health or safety issue. If Koala made Adam uncomfortable, his parents should've respected that and stopped pushing the toy on him.
The illustrations are kind of cute and really capture the creepiness of that toy. So while I didn't like the story, I did enjoy the pictures.
Overall, I don't think I'd recommend this one. Maybe if the parents had been a little more respectful of their child's fears, rather than just assuming he'd come around and like the toy. (It almost felt like an ego thing for them, since I'm assuming they're the ones that bought the toy in the first place; that kid was going to sleep with that koala, no matter what!)
April 9, 2015
I don't blame Adam at all for disliking that creepy looking stuffed koala.
April 30, 2015
When Adam opens his gift and discovers Koala inside, he is not pleased. After all, Koala is “the most terrible terrible.” He has bright yellow eyes that follow Adam around the room. So Adam decides that he must get rid of Koala, but it’s not that easy. Every night Adam puts Koala away in different places all over the house and happily goes to be alone. But when he wakes up, Koala is right there on his pillow, every morning. His parents think that he loves Koala, even though Adam tells them that he hates Koala. Then comes the day that Koala seems to have eaten Adams snack! So Adam hikes up into the forest and leaves Koala there. But Koala is waiting for him at home when he returns. One night though, frightening things loom in the dark and Koala is right there to protect Adam and make him feel safe. But someone else might just be being freaked out by Koala too.
Ferrell captures the creepiness and the appeal of strange stuffed animals. He creates a horror vibe that is just right for young readers with the way that Koala appears in bed in the morning and can’t be left behind anywhere. It’s a funny riff on scary movies, something that some special stuffed animals can evoke with ease. The parents don’t understand or step in to protect their son in the story at all, adding to that eerie feeling throughout that makes the book such fun.
Santoso creates the ultimate creepy stuffed animal in Koala, a strange beast who readers will also grow to love as the book progresses. The expressions on Adam’s face are priceless as he tries to explain why he hates Koala so very much and when he discovers Koala’s return again and again. The use of dark colors for both Koala and Adam unite them as a pair in the book even as Adam struggles to be separate. Santoso’s illustrations continue the dark eerie feel of the story.
An exceptionally dark picture book, this book is great fun and reads aloud well. Share it with children ready for a little fright with their stuffed animals. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Ferrell captures the creepiness and the appeal of strange stuffed animals. He creates a horror vibe that is just right for young readers with the way that Koala appears in bed in the morning and can’t be left behind anywhere. It’s a funny riff on scary movies, something that some special stuffed animals can evoke with ease. The parents don’t understand or step in to protect their son in the story at all, adding to that eerie feeling throughout that makes the book such fun.
Santoso creates the ultimate creepy stuffed animal in Koala, a strange beast who readers will also grow to love as the book progresses. The expressions on Adam’s face are priceless as he tries to explain why he hates Koala so very much and when he discovers Koala’s return again and again. The use of dark colors for both Koala and Adam unite them as a pair in the book even as Adam struggles to be separate. Santoso’s illustrations continue the dark eerie feel of the story.
An exceptionally dark picture book, this book is great fun and reads aloud well. Share it with children ready for a little fright with their stuffed animals. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
August 25, 2024
This book is cute, creepy, and kind of perfect...if you don't look too closely. Because, seriously, what's the moral of this story? Hang out with something that stalks and unsettles you until a moment of vulnerability convinces you to embrace that being's inescapable presence in your life?? Kind of a strange message for kids...
But what if the message is actually for parents? By the end of the book, the boy is curled up with Koala in bed and his dad sees them and abruptly declares, "I don't like Koala." Of course not: Koala is creepy. The boy's been saying that all along, but his parent doesn't figure it out until the end. Until it's too late.
We know this story, and it's not from picture books. Koala is a predator. He's that weird relative or family friend that parents force their children to hug and hang out with despite the kids' obvious discomfort. To adults, he seems harmless - like a stuffed koala! We ignore or excuse or explain away the warning signs, including (as this book illustrated) a child's words or behavior about or around a certain person.
Realistically, this story is probably not intended to be an analogy about child molesters, but the parallels are there. Listen to your kids, please. Protect their physical autonomy and trust their instincts, however ineloquent. Because, sure, in this story Koala might just have been a koala. But in real life, that's not always the case.
But what if the message is actually for parents? By the end of the book, the boy is curled up with Koala in bed and his dad sees them and abruptly declares, "I don't like Koala." Of course not: Koala is creepy. The boy's been saying that all along, but his parent doesn't figure it out until the end. Until it's too late.
We know this story, and it's not from picture books. Koala is a predator. He's that weird relative or family friend that parents force their children to hug and hang out with despite the kids' obvious discomfort. To adults, he seems harmless - like a stuffed koala! We ignore or excuse or explain away the warning signs, including (as this book illustrated) a child's words or behavior about or around a certain person.
Realistically, this story is probably not intended to be an analogy about child molesters, but the parallels are there. Listen to your kids, please. Protect their physical autonomy and trust their instincts, however ineloquent. Because, sure, in this story Koala might just have been a koala. But in real life, that's not always the case.
November 17, 2015
Clever use of language: 'the most terrible terrible' - and how it is used throughout the story - that really caught my attention!
Soft pencilled illustrations set agains a white background keep the eye focused on the koala and the boy, and their facial expressions - which are mostly portrayed through the eyes! Very cute how the text describes the boy runs among trees, around rocks, and over hills, but upon closer inspection, he is running around his house.
Simple text could be read by beginning readers, but some of the text is against a darker background.
I almost missed the last line as it's on the end page of the back cover. But I'm not sure why the father doesn't like koala - is he jealous, thinking his son doesn't need him anymore?
Overall, very cute!
Soft pencilled illustrations set agains a white background keep the eye focused on the koala and the boy, and their facial expressions - which are mostly portrayed through the eyes! Very cute how the text describes the boy runs among trees, around rocks, and over hills, but upon closer inspection, he is running around his house.
Simple text could be read by beginning readers, but some of the text is against a darker background.
I almost missed the last line as it's on the end page of the back cover. But I'm not sure why the father doesn't like koala - is he jealous, thinking his son doesn't need him anymore?
Overall, very cute!
June 29, 2015
Are Koala’s eyes following Adam? He thinks so. He tells anyone and everyone ---“I don’t like Koala.” But no one listens. Stuffing him under the couch or under the bed doesn’t work. Leaving him behind doesn’t work. The terrible, terrible-ness of Koala always ends up right by his side. Adam doesn’t like Koala though. Or does he?
Every sideways glance, frown, or stare is brought to life with soft, natural colors. The pages have a jovial warmth to them. A softness that adds just the right tone and fun to the tale.
An original story alive with imagination.
Hey, are Koala’s eyes following me? I’m out of here! :D
Recommended.
October 28, 2014
What do you do when your parents give you a most terrible terrible stuffed animal? If your Adam you try to get rid of it. His parents don't understand . They don't see Koala's terrible face & paws or the eyes that follow him everywhere. Everyday Adam tries to get rid of koala and every night koala is back and too close to him. Until a stormy night then perhaps koala isn't the most terrible terrible thing there is. A funny book with perfect illustrations to show you just how terrible koala is. A must read for the whole family!
April 19, 2015
I liked it, but I definitely think it's one of those picture books that's for the enjoyment of adults and not kids.
January 18, 2023
I love how low key sinister this was!
February 7, 2019
Every night, after Adam gets ready for bed, “he tries to get rid of Koala”. As a child, I never had a fondness for stuffed animals but I was incredibly attached to a few choice toys. I spent many happy years with them, loving them even when they lost an eye or a wheel. When I remember them now, I deeply regret giving them away. But I didn’t always feel this love. There was a time when the inevitable happened: I began to feel too old for them.
I resented my parents for presuming I needed them; their very presence began to feel oppressive. I screamed that I no longer want Bozo the clown, the levitating police car or the backflipping stegosaurus. I declared my hatred loudly—more to convince myself than anyone else. I wouldn’t risk anyone noticing that I was still a kid; I wanted to be a grown-up, not dependent on such trifles.
But the truth was, age couldn’t stop me from finding comfort in them. Even ugly as they had become, they still soothed me when no one was looking—just as Koala does for Adam. Sean Ferrell and Charles Santos have beautifully narrated and illustrated one of the greatest struggles of childhood. Now that I think of it, I’m astonished that there aren’t more picture books about this most trying of dilemmas... Alternatively, this is no more than an entertaining horror story and I’m reading too much into it!
September 11, 2016
This is a book about a boy who has a stuffed koala which he does not like at all. He tries to get rid of it in a number of ways, but it is always there at the end of the day. At the end of the book the boy has a change of heart about the koala, as he seeks its comfort in the face of something that could be even scarier.
I did not care much for the book, because the boy seems to be a brat. The book is also not very realistic in that the bear is always there no matter what the boy does.
It would be nice if you could use this book to help children overcome unreasonable fears or to see that things are not as bad as they seem. But, the boy is still afraid at the end of the book. Maybe, if you focused on the bear, you could show that he had no reason to dislike the stuffed animal. It could also be used as just a book to read or to read aloud and ask the students questions about.
I did not care much for the book, because the boy seems to be a brat. The book is also not very realistic in that the bear is always there no matter what the boy does.
It would be nice if you could use this book to help children overcome unreasonable fears or to see that things are not as bad as they seem. But, the boy is still afraid at the end of the book. Maybe, if you focused on the bear, you could show that he had no reason to dislike the stuffed animal. It could also be used as just a book to read or to read aloud and ask the students questions about.
Read
April 19, 2015This Koala is terrifying.
April 25, 2015
Amazing.
January 3, 2016
Truly funny with hilarious yet warm illustrations. One of the funniest picture books of 2015.
February 22, 2018
What an awful message all the way around. You should definitely judge things on their appearance, and don't piss off the weirdos 'cuz you might use them later against bigger weirdos.
November 28, 2021
The illustration it's beautiful and the ending was really surprising and funny, a little scary but funny.
July 19, 2019
“I don’t like Koala” has become a repeated refrain in our household, long after we returned this book to the library. The story made my children chuckle. And I adore the illustrations—perfectly in keeping with the book’s humor. It is hard to find picture books that have that special magic, both entertaining children and amusing adults. “I Don’t Like Koala” has it! We are about to borrow it again.
June 8, 2021
Absolutely wonderful book, so cute!! I will share this with my niece!!
February 1, 2024
A good book! If you can’t take my word for it, read it yourself!
March 25, 2016
A kids picture books that plays on horror tropes? Yes please.
The thing I love most about this is that both my four-year-old and eight-year-old daughters got something out of the book. I personally loved the quirkiness of it. My four-year-old laughed out loud several time when the refrain of "I DON'T LIKE KOALA" rang out.
To me it seemed like a gentle, but kind of playfully creepy, horror story. The toy that comes to life and moves itself around. The clueless parents who don't understand that their kid doesn't actually like the toy that is ALWAYS at his side, because of course if he always keeps it near him, he must like it, but the kid knows that the koala is there because the koala wants him to be, not because the kid wants him to be.
Then after story time, my eight-year-old picked it up and started studying the book. I thought, "What could she be so intent on? It's such a simple book."
She eventually says, "Hey, Mom, you know he never leaves the house when he takes Koala outside to leave him. It's all in his imagination. Look, the wallpaper in these rooms is the same as the outside sky and this rock is shaped a little like the couch and the trees in the forest are just bigger versions of the house plants ..."
I looked and she was totally right. I hadn't even noticed that.
That's a pretty deft hand for narrative. Definitely doesn't under-estimate the intelligence of children. Doesn't try to distract them with stupid jokes and bright colors. Very very clever book.
The thing I love most about this is that both my four-year-old and eight-year-old daughters got something out of the book. I personally loved the quirkiness of it. My four-year-old laughed out loud several time when the refrain of "I DON'T LIKE KOALA" rang out.
To me it seemed like a gentle, but kind of playfully creepy, horror story. The toy that comes to life and moves itself around. The clueless parents who don't understand that their kid doesn't actually like the toy that is ALWAYS at his side, because of course if he always keeps it near him, he must like it, but the kid knows that the koala is there because the koala wants him to be, not because the kid wants him to be.
Then after story time, my eight-year-old picked it up and started studying the book. I thought, "What could she be so intent on? It's such a simple book."
She eventually says, "Hey, Mom, you know he never leaves the house when he takes Koala outside to leave him. It's all in his imagination. Look, the wallpaper in these rooms is the same as the outside sky and this rock is shaped a little like the couch and the trees in the forest are just bigger versions of the house plants ..."
I looked and she was totally right. I hadn't even noticed that.
That's a pretty deft hand for narrative. Definitely doesn't under-estimate the intelligence of children. Doesn't try to distract them with stupid jokes and bright colors. Very very clever book.
October 23, 2019
Adam does not like Koala. He is terribly ugly, brings no positivity to his life. Adam's parents ask about and check on Koala with his terrible eyes, but Adam can't shake him. Despite taking him on a long walk and intentionally trying to leave him places, Koala always ends up right back with Adam. Until one day when Adam finally has a change of heart and snuggles right next to Koala when he feels fearful of something even more terrible, when he decides he loves Koala after all. This is important because sometimes it takes time for people to warm up and first impressions and appearances aren't always indicative of a person or thing. Using this in a class to show students that it just takes time sometimes, and to not be so hateful and stubborn about someone you haven't given a chance. This book would be read best to 4-6 year olds as the content isn't that complex. This is a good book to read aloud because the pictures really add to the story and it isn't text heavy. This book takes you on a journey of Koala and Adam and how he tries to get rid of him, leaving readers anxious of how the story is going to end.
June 1, 2015
In some situations defined as less than desirable, it's a good idea to give it the it could always be worse test. Even then sometimes you feel so trapped, helpless or frightened you believe it is truly horrible until life gives you another set of circumstances which is much worse. Given a choice it's a good time to apply the concept of the lesser of two evils. In fact you will probably wonder why you thought the first prospect is dreadful.
Many times as a child it's hard to get adults to see your viewpoint. Sean Ferrell has penned a story that is at once familiar and entirely unique. Illustrator Charles Santoso enhances those words with every bit of available space. I Don't Like Koala (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, April 14, 2015) will stay with you long after the cover is closed.
My full recommendation: http://bit.ly/1KszEfK
Many times as a child it's hard to get adults to see your viewpoint. Sean Ferrell has penned a story that is at once familiar and entirely unique. Illustrator Charles Santoso enhances those words with every bit of available space. I Don't Like Koala (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, April 14, 2015) will stay with you long after the cover is closed.
My full recommendation: http://bit.ly/1KszEfK
Read
May 31, 2015***The following is an extremely biased review, because, well, check out my username.***
I didn't like this book. How could I? It contained dislike towards a koala, koala endangerment, koala abandonment, and it tried to make the most adorable creature on the planet seem creepy. The illustrator couldn't even make the koala uncute, because it's a KOALA. Maybe if the book had been about a clown or a creepy monkey (some sock monkeys are terrifying, and so are those monkeys with the cymbals), I would understand. But as it is, I simply cannot fathom why the author would write this book.
I've had to keep the book hidden in my library bag so that I don't have to pay a replacement fee, because I can only imagine what my koalas would do to it if they found it. It's been a stressful couple of days on that front.
No stars for you, Sean Ferrell. None at all. I would certainly send you a boxful of koala pellets if I could, though.
I didn't like this book. How could I? It contained dislike towards a koala, koala endangerment, koala abandonment, and it tried to make the most adorable creature on the planet seem creepy. The illustrator couldn't even make the koala uncute, because it's a KOALA. Maybe if the book had been about a clown or a creepy monkey (some sock monkeys are terrifying, and so are those monkeys with the cymbals), I would understand. But as it is, I simply cannot fathom why the author would write this book.
I've had to keep the book hidden in my library bag so that I don't have to pay a replacement fee, because I can only imagine what my koalas would do to it if they found it. It's been a stressful couple of days on that front.
No stars for you, Sean Ferrell. None at all. I would certainly send you a boxful of koala pellets if I could, though.
September 30, 2015
Adam is so excited when he receives his present! He quickly unwraps it and there it is... Koala... Adam doesn't like Koala. Koala looks terrifying. Mom and dad insist in Adam sleep with Koala, and Adam insist in put Koala away.
But when something even more frightening appears, Koala will be all Adam need to feel protected.
I have to say that I can empathize with Adams' parents. I have been there, pushing, insisting on a toy that will make bedtime easier. I am actually there right now! (The chocolate colored teddy bear failed. We are giving the purple dragon a try... so far without too much success...)
The story is finely illustrated in only a few light colors on a lot of white. I don't know how Santoso does it, but Koala looks terrifying at the beginning and friendly at the end without objectively changing too much!
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
But when something even more frightening appears, Koala will be all Adam need to feel protected.
I have to say that I can empathize with Adams' parents. I have been there, pushing, insisting on a toy that will make bedtime easier. I am actually there right now! (The chocolate colored teddy bear failed. We are giving the purple dragon a try... so far without too much success...)
The story is finely illustrated in only a few light colors on a lot of white. I don't know how Santoso does it, but Koala looks terrifying at the beginning and friendly at the end without objectively changing too much!
Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!
August 8, 2015
I adore everything about this book! The illustrations are amazing. Koala is described by Adam as having "terrible eyes that follow Adam everywhere he goes." Admittedly, Koala is not classically cute or cuddly. He has one eye that lists to the right and one that stares straight ahead. He is Adam's constant, albeit unwelcome, companion. Adam uses him roughly, and we see through a wonderful double spread that Adam deposits him in every possible nook and cranny at night. Somehow, Koala always finds his way back to Adam. His parents repeatedly remind Adam that he'd be sad and lost without Koala. One day, Adam takes Koala on a long journey into the woods and purposefully leaves him; only to find Koala waiting on him when he returns home! In the end, we see how Koala may be Adam's best friend, and the one keeping him safe at night. Did I say I adore this book?! I adore this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews