Cloudmaker (Helen Milroy, Magabala)

Acclaimed author-illustrator Helen Milroy, a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, returns with a creation story in her distinctive style, as seen in Sunny and Shadow and the Tales from the Bush Mob series. The titular Cloudmaker is an ‘ethereal creature’ from a time before time, ‘with a lightness of being that gave him the freedom to exist anywhere’. From the beginning of creation, Cloudmaker carefully tends to the clouds that cover the universe. But as his fellow ancestral beings ascend into the Dreaming, he is left alone with his cloud garden. When Earth comes into existence, Cloudmaker seeks help from the birds he meets to rediscover his purpose and ultimately gifts the world rainbows made from his tears. Milroy’s trademark illustrations combine dot painting techniques with figurative elements in rich, bright tones. She depicts Cloudmaker with stunning transparency, rendering his glowing feathers in a fine digital lattice that contrasts beautifully with the bold, geometric designs of the landscapes. Some of the most striking images are Milroy’s mesmeric pre-existence cloudscapes, reminiscent of Georgia O’Keeffe’s work. The accompanying text will expand the vocabulary of readers aged 8+, while also entertaining and educating them. Cloudmaker explores a wide range of emotions as its protagonist experiences pride, excitement, joy, sadness, wonder, and disillusionment. Children and caregivers will appreciate that each emotion is acknowledged and felt deeply, opening up many possibilities for discussion.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Annie Waters sells books, writes about books and podcasts about books. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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