1. Animal names
2. Art motifs
3. Art techniques
4. Birds
5. Colours
6. Food
7. Insects
8. Literacy
9. Outdoors
10. Poetry
11. Spiders
12. Stories in rhyme

Helen Milroy continues presenting memorable and enticing bugs, birds and native Australian creatures for young readers—but all ages will be fascinated. Common features in Milroy’s books include appealing read aloud rhymes and poetic language accompanied by her signature illustration style featuring intricate patterns and strong colours. She occupies a special niche in early childhood education with her series of books aimed at the youngest. In these she stimulates and entices children naturally predisposed towards outdoor creatures. Readers and viewers can expect the following: a modest square size which fits comfortably in toddlers’ hands. Then there are richly coloured designs using freehand digital artwork. Each creature is set against a highly decorative, strongly coloured background design. Endpapers feature the creatures throughout the book and draw readers in for an interactive experience to spot the creatures and relish the inbuilt ‘yuck’ factor for each one. For example, spot the mosquito sucking blood, see the blowfly eating dung, and the tarantula setting a trap for its prey.

Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She is currently a Professor at the University of Western Australia, child and adolescent psychologist and Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission.

‘Bush Bugs’ is the second title in the author’s Bush Series aimed at spotting then identifying local bugs. It is also a companion piece to her books, ‘Backyard Beasties’, ‘Backyard Birds’, and ‘Backyard Bugs’.

1. Fremantle Press Teaching Notes for ‘Bush Bugs’ https://fremantlepress.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TN_BushBugs_20231107-1.pdf
2. Australian Museum Discover & Learn Animal Factsheets https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/
3. Biographical profile of Helen Milroy https://www.helenmilroy.com/bio
4. Facebook 12 Mar 2021 ‘Storytime: Helen Milroy reads ‘Backyard Bugs’ https://www.facebook.com/betterreadingkids/videos/116886103673971/
5. The University of Western Australia 22 Nov 2021 ‘Kids need nature, urges prize-winning children’s book author.’ The author discusses the importance of interacting with the natural world. https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2021/november/kids-need-nature-urges-prize-winning-childrens-book-author
6. Kids’ Book Review 16 Oct 2023 ‘Meet the Illustrator: Helen Milroy’ discussing her inspiration, style and showing her creative workspace. http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2023/10/meet-illustrator-helen-milroy.html#more
7. Wikipedia ‘Helen Milroy’ including a biographical profile, overview of works and awards https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Milroy