Backyard bugs by Helen Milroy

Bright and colourful, the panorama of the backyard is brought to life as the readers’ eyes scan each page, reading the information on one side of the page and searching out the insect described amongst the foliage on the other page. Readers will be excited by the hunt, curious about the information given and informed enough to keep searching in their own backyards

Each rhyming sentence uses a word to describe the insect: an ant marches, a cricket chirps, while the illustrations are executed using techniques recognisably used by Aboriginal artists including patterns, dots and line design, reflecting the environment in which the insect lives. They are just wonderful, evoking the richly detailed designs which have become so familiar.

As an information book for younger readers, a share book for newly able readers, a book to delight and excite, this charming little book has it all, snuggling comfortably in small hands, eager to go outside to see what they can see.

Helen Milroy, a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia was born and educated in Perth. Australia’s first Indigenous doctor, she has held many posts to do with children, medicine and mental health, and was recently appointed as the AFL’s first indigenous commissioner. Wombat, Mudlark and Other Stories is her first book for children and was shortlisted for several major awards.

Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Aboriginal themes, Aboriginal art, Environment, Insects, Verse.

Fran Knight