The Koala Who Could

Name: The Koala Who Could
Author: Rachel Bright

A story that explores courage and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

Read the Guiding Questions Find this book →

♥ This book teaches: Courage. doing what is right even when it is hard.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Courage is being willing to face something hard or scary, like trying to do something you’ve never done before. In short: Do good, try hard even when it’s scary. Summary: A young Koala named Kevin is encouraged by his friends to climb down his tree and join them, but he’s afraid to take a risk. When a woodpecker knocks down his tree, Kevin lands on the ground. He’s surprised to find that he’s not worried or doubtful. He becomes a can-do Koala and enjoys new adventures with his friends. Lesson Objectives:

Students memorize and practice the phrase “I am a can-do person!”
Students are reminded by their teacher to use this phrase, consider the benefits of accepting challenges, and ask for help to do what is difficult.

Guiding questions:

Kevin the Koala lives in a tree. Why does he like to stay in the tree?
What does “Kevin liked sticking to what he knew best” mean?
What did Kevin feel about the ground down below?
Wombat tried to get Kevin to come down and play. What did Kevin say?
Did Kevin wish he could join his friends on the ground?
Why did he stay up in the tree?
What happened to Kevin when the woodpecker pecked at his tree?
Kevin felt safe in his tree, and at the same time he wished he could play with his friends. Have you ever felt like you wished you could do something but you didn’t because it was a bit scary and new?
What would you say to someone like Kevin who is afraid to try something new that is safe and fun?
Can you remember a time when you were scared to try something but you went ahead and did it anyway? What happened?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Courage means acting on what is right even in the presence of fear.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.