The Story Behind The Koala Who Could

If you love both reading and animals, you might have already come across the adorable storybook series by Rachel Bright, all of which feature their own stories and life lessons. Each book centres around an animal facing their own personal challenge. And the main characters always learn new things about themselves along the way.

As well as The Koala Who Could, there are titles such as The Lion Inside and The Squirrel Who Wanted to Sleep. Following the success of The Lion Inside theatre production, the cuddly koala book has also been adapted for the stage, and is perfect for children aged three and above. So if you loved the koala book, don’s miss the chance to see the story retold with beautifully crafted puppets. Here’s all you should know about the story behind the lovable tale.

 

Plot Summary

The Koala Who Could tells the story of Kevin, a scared and somewhat nervous koala who likes to stay safe and secure in his own tree. He’s very set in his ways and - like many young children - struggles with change. So when an event happens and alters his world, Kevin is forced to step out of his comfort zone and try new things. Through his journey, Kevin learns that sometimes, change can lead to wonderful new experiences.

 

Themes

Books on koalas don’t always have morals or themes, especially if they’re non-fiction and more focussed on facts. This story, however, has very distinctive themes based around courage, overcoming fear, embracing change and the importance of friendship. It can be used to teach youngsters about the importance of stepping out of their comfort zones and trying new things, even if it feels unfamiliar and scary. While the illustrations in the book are really cute and help to convey the story’s message in an inviting way, the theatre production features bright sets and adorable puppets which also communicate the themes perfectly.

The theme of friendship is also significant, with Kevin only overcoming his fears with help from other characters such as Hoppy the Kangaroo, Norman the Zebra and Tilly the Toucan. Unlike Kevin, the other characters are not scared of change and are more adventurous and free spirited. The character traits of his friends make it much easier for Kevin to face his fears head on and see the world in a different light.

 

Personal Challenges

Kevin’s personal challenges include exploring the forest floor. As koalas like to live high up in Eucalyptus trees, this is a very unusual experience for Kevn which he must embrace. As a mostly solitary creature, Kevin also has to learn only how to make friends but also how to embrace their different characters. He opens up to the idea that he can try new things and live life differently than before.

The Koala Who Could begins its UK tour on 13 February 2025. Book your tickets today at a theatre near you and enjoy a trip the little ones will love.