Show your love for Australia’s koalas this September because it’s Save the Koala Month. And 30th September is Save the Koala Day. Read some stories about koalas, create some koala inspired artwork, visit a koala sanctuary or learn some facts about koalas. Did you know that koalas can sleep for up to 18 hours a day!
Sadly, koala numbers are on the decline. Loss of habitat, disease and bushfire have seen them pushed to the brink of extinction. The good news is that there is hope to turn this around. There are many organisations doing important work to save our iconic koalas.
BOOKS
Koala Ark
Written and illustrated by Stephen Michael King
This recently published picture book is so beautifully illustrated that you will fall in love with Koala and his billabong friends. This is a tale of care, companionship and renewal as Koala sets out to rescue his friends from a bushfire in his little boat. The creation of this book was inspired by organisations involved in koala rescue and rehabilitation following Australia’s devastating bushfires. A heart-warming story coupled with incredibly cute and engaging artwork make the topic of bushfires accessible to young children. Because of the devastation caused to koala populations during the bushfires, the author has donated to two Koala organisations near his home. More information can be found at the Koala Ark Project.
Don’t Call Me Bear!
Written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey
This humour filled story is told from the perspective of Warren, a frustrated and somewhat grumpy koala on a mission. Warren knows for a fact that he is not a bear! But he is having trouble convincing others of this fact. After all, he is cute and furry, and looks like a bear. This is a fun read aloud with bright, bold and entertaining illustrations adding to the laughs. The chart of common marsupials in their underwear is a particular favourite with children. This is a very Australian and ‘beariffic’ tale.
Koalas Eat Gum Leaves
Written by Laura Bunting and illustrated by Philip Bunting
Koalas are incredibly fussy eaters. Just as people have their favourite foods, koalas do too! They live almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves and even then, they are very fussy about which leaves they actually eat. But the koala in this story has a taste for something different. Something cold, creamy and yummy that kids like too. This means that children can totally relate to Koala and his new found fondness for ice-cream. I love the use of sparse text, with an emphasis on the visual. This tale is full of humour and the knowledge that there can be too much of a good thing.
SONGS
Koala Lullaby
This sweet koala lullaby was launched by the Australian Koala Foundation for Save the Koala Month 2022.
Koala Lalala
This super cute children’s song has a catchy tune to sing along to and the video is cute too.
A Crafty Idea
Materials needed:
- Cardboard tube
- Koala template
- Cardstock
- Pencils or markers
- Scissors
- Glue
Method:
- Print the koala template onto the cardstock.
- Colour in your koala.
- Cut around the outline of the template pieces.
- Glue the large rectangle around a cardboard tube.
- Glue the head, arms and feet onto the body of the koala, using the image as a guide.
- Allow to dry.
- Your cute 3D koala is now ready to play with or display.
