Milly Meelyu by Holly Bradley & Darryl Fogarty. Illus. by Corinne Fogarty

Written in dual language - English and Badimia - this charming picture book will engage young readers with its bold and vivid illustrations and simple accessible text. The Meelyu are small lizards that live in the hollows of logs. When their habitat is destroyed by a grader for land clearing purposes they search all over for a new home where they can feel safe.

They consider a few options - one was too small for the larger lizard, another had cat tracks surrounding it, a third had not enough sun and the final one seemed too far away to get there safely. However, the Meelyu bravely began travelling across the distance but were pounced on by a feral cat. Luckily, some human children scared the cat away and the Meelyu safely made it to their new home.

Milly Meelyu gently explores themes of habitat loss, resilience, and the importance of caring for the natural world and how humans must take responsibility for looking after the flora and fauna. It also introduces readers to the notion of animal totems as symbols of identity and connection in First Nations culture and the importance these traditions play in their lives. Teacher's notes and an activity are available from the publisher.

Themes: Dual Language – English and Badimia, Totem Animals, Habitats, Conservation, Lizards, Feral Cats, Land Clearing.

Kathryn Beilby