The Boab Tree

By Helen Milroy

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region. Her thoughtfully designed and produced books for children combine stunning colourful artwork with simple accessible text which introduce readers to Australian wildlife. Publications include Bush Bugs, Crow Baby, Bush Birds, Owl and Star, and Backyard Beasties, all reviewed in StoryLinks.

The Boab Tree is dedicated to ‘our Stolen children’ and is an extended metaphore for what happened to many indigenous children in Australia over the years.

A boab nut falls on top of an eagle who flies far away to a forest of very tall trees. Boab feels lost, alone and exhausted. He is befriended by members of the hopping mice family but Boab doesn’t grow very well. The soil isn’t right, the food is different and there is not enough sun. He struggles every day and really wants to go home. Will Boab manage to get home to Country? Milroy has come up with an inventive ending that should please those concerned with Boab’s plight.

This is quite a long story but told in simple accessible language for children aged 3 – 5. It will also be of interest to older readers and any First Nations peoples. Rich browns and blues dominate here in Milroy’s signature artwork which is one of the strenghs of this ultimately hopeful story.

Fremantle Press 2024

Helen Milroy