1. Art motifs
2. Art techniques
3. Birds
4. Clouds
5. Creation
6. Earth (Planet)
7. Friendship
8. Imagination
9. Nature
10. Rainbows
11. Sky

Before time and the world, we know today began, ancestral beings, such as Cloudmaker, were busy preparing for the creation of the universe.

Cloudmaker’s destiny was to leave a legacy of clouds for all eternity. He created a special nursery of clouds of all shapes, happily attending his cloud garden, and enjoying his favourite cloud, Cirra. Together they talked of the past and future. In time there are enough clouds for all eternity and Cloudmaker becomes despondent and without purpose. He longs for Earth to appear with these clouds. He longs for creatures to populate its spaces. Finally, Cloudmaker travels to the beautiful earth now created with its mountains, forests, rivers, oceans, and birds. Here he meets earth’s birds that surround the visiting Cloudmaker, now overjoyed that he made this world possible. Cloudmaker cries tears of joy.

When the sunlight captures one of these teardrops, the light becomes a rainbow circling the earth and promises the world eternal hope and renewal. This then becomes Cloudmaker’s final gift of creation. Cloudmaker now lives on forever in the rain and rainbows while Cirra becomes part of the new age, watching over Earth.

Helen Milroy’s signature artwork is mesmerising with its solid blocks of bold, vibrant colours. Detailed patterns in the background offer a stunning contrast to the many birds and flowers surrounding Cloudmaker, all trying very hard to cheer him up. They sing a song of gratitude to Cloudmaker for making their world possible and for helping Earth to grow. Cloudmaker is now content. It is impossible not to feel moved as a reader as both words and images convey the depth of this emotional moment. This is a book for rereading and closely examining the artwork. Christina Wheeler, in her Teacher Notes for this book, comments that the story ‘’invites readers to find joy in nature, love within friendships and accept change whilst respecting the past.’ 

Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She studied Medicine at the University of Western Australia, worked as a General Practitioner and Consultant in Childhood Sexual Abuse before competing specialist training in child and adolescent psychiatry. Helen was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2023 Australia Day Honours.

1. Magabala Books Teacher Notes by Christina Wheeler for ‘Cloudmaker’ https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0092/5043/9268/files/Cloudmaker_Teacher_Notes.pdf?v=1751965737
2. Books+Publishing 6 May 2025 review by Annie Waters of ‘Cloudmaker’ https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2025/05/06/270734/cloudmaker-helen-milroy-magabala/
3. Paper Bird ‘Cloudmaker’ https://store.paperbird.com.au/p/cloudmaker
4. Kids’ Book Review 26 Oct 2023 ‘Meet the Illustrator: Helen Milroy’ http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2023/10/meet-illustrator-helen-milroy.html
5. Wikipedia ‘Helen Milroy’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Milroy
6. Helen Milroy website https://www.helenmilroy.com/