Helen Milroy

Helen Milroy is a born storyteller and a talented artist.

She is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, but was born and educated in Perth. Currently Helen is the University of Western Australia and Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission.

Helen has been on state and national mental health and research advisory committees and boards with a particular focus on Indigenous mental health as well as the wellbeing of children. From 2013-2017 Helen was a Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

In 2019, Helen was also appointed as a Commissioner with the Australian Football League.

What genres and age ranges does Helen Milroy write for?

She writes primarily for children, producing picture books, board books and early chapter books aimed at toddlers through young readers.

What recurring themes appear in her books?

Common themes are First Nations stories and culture, nature and animals, family and community, and the wellbeing of children.

Where is a good place to start if I am new to her work?

Start with her picture and board books such as Backyard Birds, Backyard Bugs, Backyard Beasties or Bush Mob Counting for very young readers, and try Tales From the Bush Mob titles or The Sweetest Egg of All for early chapter-book readers.

Is there a reading order for the Tales From the Bush Mob series?

Some Tales From the Bush Mob books are part of a numbered series. For continuity, follow the series or publication order indicated on the books or publisher listings.

Has Helen Milroy received notable recognition related to her work?

She has notable professional and public roles: a professor in child and adolescent psychiatry, a commissioner with national mental health bodies, a commissioner on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and an AFL commissioner. Specific literary awards are not listed here.