Review - Koala Bare

Koala Bare
by Jackie French
illustrated by Matt Shanks
Date: 2017
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

For too long koalas have been called bears.But this koala is out to prove to the world that he is BARE! And that never, ever, ever can a koala be called a bear ... From the internationally renowned author of the bestselling Diary of a Wombat comes a hilariously funny picture book that Jackie French has created with talented new illustrator Matt Shanks.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

The moral of the story: If you're misunderstood, go on a rampage and steal things that aren't yours, trash some random strangers' picnic, tie people up, drive unsafely, destroy museum displays, break windows, sling food at people in restaurants, actively try to keep your neighbours awake by making noise, throw food at the walls, vandalize other people's houses, scream in people's faces, and glare at everyone.

What a lovely message!

This koala has the attitude of a drop bear and that never changes. He's not called out on his behaviour. In fact, the behaviour is presented as a good thing because he's being himself. So he's allowed to be a miserable, antisocial ass until the very last page while everyone else just looks on in confusion.

The only redeeming value of this book would be to read it with kids so they can pick out all the inappropriate behaviours. Then you could have a discussion about how those actions might make others feel. But I don't think that was the point of this book. It was apparently meant to be funny, and I guess kids are supposed to laugh at all the horrible things the koala does. But he's not an endearing character at all. One of the other bears should've eaten him to put an end to the book sooner.

Premise: 1/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 1.43 out of 5