Bush bugs by Helen Milroy

A brightly coloured showcase of some of the bugs that inhabit our bushland, this book is a fascinating starting point for young readers to think about the world around them. From scaly bug to blowfly, slater to centipede, tarantula to Hercules moth, the book opens readers’ eyes to words that tell them something about that bug. The Hercules moth has no mouth, the golden stick insect has spiky legs, the wasp eats spiders and flies. Each double page offers a different bug and a fact about that animal which will have young minds thinking about that bug and seeking more information. Intriguing facts are put to the reader, prompting their thinking and questioning.

Each insect is illustrated on the opposite page, using motifs and techniques now familiar to readers. Brightly coloured, the insect sits in the middle of a panorama of dots, lines and circles. The last page invites the reader to see how many are remembered after finishing the book.

Helen Milroy has written and illustrated a number of books for Fremantle Press highlighting an aspect of the environment. Children will love her other books about the willy wagtail, emu and backyard bugs and beasts.

Dr Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, born and educated in Perth. Wombat, Mudlark and Other Stories was her first book for children. More information about Helen and her books can be found here, and some information is given at the end of the book.

Themes: STEM, Insects, Aboriginal art.

Fran Knight