The Koala Who Bounced

Jimmy Thomson (author)

Eric Lobbecke (illus)

Random House, Australia: 1993

ISBN: 9780091828974

Issues: differences, tolerance

Genres: adventure, humour, picture book

When he's quite young, Karrie the Koala discovers he's different - and while he doesn't mind being able to bounce sky-high, he tends to get the other young koalas into trouble.

Lonely and unwelcome, Karrie goes looking for another bouncing koala. His meanderings lead him past a basketball court - and into a remarkable adventure that helps him (and the other koalas) appreciate his particular abilities.

Whilst the prose is fairly pedestrian, the illustrations are comical and the story sufficiently whimsical to appeal to younger readers. The narrative promotes acceptance of those who are different and reinforces the idea that everybody has a place and purpose in their community.