Milly Meelyu is a thoughtful story about environmental and wildlife protection, introducing children to skinks, their habitats and survival strategies, while also embedding First Nations knowledge and language.
- Title: “Milly Meelyu“
- Written by: Holly Bradley & Darryl Fogarty
- Illustrated by: Corinne Fogarty
- Age Group: 3 – 6 years
- Links to EYLF
- Principles: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives & Respect for diversity
- Practices: Cultural Responsiveness & Holistic, integrated and interconnected approaches
- Outcomes: Children have a strong sense of identity & are connected and contribute to their world
Written by conservation biologist Holly Bradley and Badimia Elder Darryl Fogarty, the story follows Milly Meelyu, a skink living in a log “castle” with her family. When bulldozers destroy their home, Milly and her parents search for a safe new habitat. Along the way, they face challenges including unsuitable homes and predators, ultimately finding the perfect place to live.
The book is illustrated by Corinne Fogarty in rich earthy tones, reflecting the natural environment and highlighting her family totem, the meelyu.
Written in both English and the Badimia language, it introduces children to First Nations languages, cultural perspectives and totems, alongside concepts of environmental conservation and caring for country.
Milly Meelyu is ideal for early learning environments to explore topics such as habitat destruction, native wildlife, conservation and human impact on the environment. It also provides opportunities to discuss identity, connection to Country and respect for diversity.
Reflective questions for children might include:
- “Why is it important to care for animals and their habitats?”
- “How do Milly and her family solve problems to find a safe home?”
- “What can we learn from Aboriginal languages and totems?”
- “How can we take care of the environment around us?”
Why We Love It
We love Milly Meelyu because it combines culture, language and environmental awareness in a story that is engaging, educational and empowering for children.
It supports children to develop a strong sense of identity through connection with First Nations perspectives, a sense of responsibility for the natural world and wellbeing through understanding and care for living things.
The dual-language text and cultural context provide authentic opportunities for cultural responsiveness and reflective practice, while the story’s environmental themes encourage curiosity, problem-solving and respect for diversity.
The book aligns beautifully with EYLF principles and practices, supporting learning outcomes across identity, connectedness, wellbeing, confidence and involvement.
Milly Meelyu is a valuable addition to any early childhood or primary learning environment, fostering cultural understanding, environmental stewardship and empathy for all living creatures.
