Leaf-light

Leaf-light by Trace Balla (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP $27.99 ISBN 9781760526207

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Leaf-light is an 80-page graphic novel/picture book hybrid suitable for an audience aged 6 years and older. It is a beautiful tale reflecting the value of friendship, the spirit of community, respect for the land, and caring for wildlife. Leaf-light is a companion book to the highly praised Landing with Wings.

Nature loving Miri lives with her mum on Djaara Country. Next door, her friend Wingo lives with his large family and a cast of rescued animals. Together Miri and Wingo explore, build, forage, play, nurture wildlife, spend time with family and friends, and help others in the community.

Leaf-light is an educational and entertaining book, incorporating Djaara Country’s local language, flora, and fauna, combined with a narrative about friendship and community. The cartoon illustrations appear in single and double-page spreads, as well as comic strip form, vignettes, and spot illustrations. Miri’s first-person narrative complements conversations in speech bubbles, onomatopoeia, and labels that identify the myriad of plants, animals, and man-made objects. Leaf-light is a feast for the eyes and the audience will gain more from it with each read. The book concludes with author notes and a list of websites for further information and teaching resources.

Rockhopping

Rockhopping written and illustrated by Trace Balla (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP$24.99 ISBN 9781760112349

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

From its front cover and then onto its fly pages and title page with numerous illustrations of Australian flora and fauna, it’s obvious this graphic picture book is about venturing into our country’s bush. First, though, Balla acknowledges the cooperation of a number of Aboriginal organisations which gave her permission to include cultural references. Indeed, throughout the book Balla has chosen to use Jardawadjali/Djab Wurrung place names followed by English names in brackets. The story is set in Gariwerd (the Grampians) and acknowledges those clans whose country it is.

The first page starts with a boy and a man lolling in a boat wondering where the (Glenelg) river water comes from and the man responding, ‘How about we go and find out something, kid?’ Thus it is that Uncle Egg and ten year old Clancy spend some time organising for a long walk and then the beginning their trek. The story is told in comic book style with lots of small and detailed illustrations showing things such a spread of what they take with them and later the vast wilderness. On the trek, which Clancy often finds strenuous and tiring, there are many adventures and some misadventures, such as when he falls off a rock onto an outcrop.

Throughout the story the reader checks out the many plants and animals along the way, all of which are labelled. Clancy communes with nature up close and from afar and learns much from being still and observant. On day five, he and Uncle Egg come upon the river which has Clancy wondering about the history of the place – of gold-miners, Chinese gardeners, squatters, bushrangers, and of course, natives who lived off the land.

There is a lot of writing in this book which isn’t story text; Balla thanks many people who collaborated with her to create the book, including numerous Indigenous peoples. It would take days to read every single word and examine all of the illustrations. The drawings in this book are wonderful and will reward the patient reader with many hours of discovery and learning. No doubt Clancy and his uncle’s adventure will resonate with children who enjoy bushwalking with their families, and might even inspire them to take an extended walk.

This is Balla’s second book, the first, Rivertime, winning the Readings’ Children’s Book Prize, the Wilderness Society’s Environment Award and short-listings in three other state and national book awards. This one, too, is sure to win awards. Suitable for readers 6+ years.

Rivertime

Rivertime written and illustrated by Trace Balla (Allen and Unwin)

PB RRP $24.99

ISBN 978-1-74331-633-7

Reviewed by Ann Harth 

After reading Rivertime, I felt like hopping in a canoe and paddling down the nearest river for a few days. This picture book will take you on a joyful and meandering journey on the Glenelg River in Victoria.

10-year-old Clancy takes a 10 day canoe trip with his Uncle Egg. Although Clancy misses his screens and technology at first, he gradually begins to appreciate the challenges, beauty and peace that fill each day. He spends his time perfecting his paddling, spotting wildlife, learning camping skills and, when his arms get tired, making a sail for the canoe. Clancy swims with the local kids during the day and, in the evening, their families join him and Uncle Egg to share music, stories and a campfire. As the time slips past, Clancy merges into the rhythm of the river and develops a bond with nature that will follow him home.

The layout and format of Rivertime invites the reader to slow down and look around as each page contains Clancy’s first person narrative as well as speech bubbles to offer a closer look at the characters’ personalities. Trace Balla’s illustrations also give this book a gentleness that bolder colours and stronger lines would not have captured. The detail she includes encourages the reader to slow down and look around as the reader will want to see everything.

Children from 8-12 will enjoy Rivertime but I wouldn’t limit its ability to reach any age. This is a story that celebrates nature, people and the importance of protecting our natural environment. The parallels between the visual aspects of this book and its story work well to offer a rich experience.

Trace Balla is a woman with many talents and interests. As well as writing and illustrating picture books, she is an art therapist, animator and works in computer illustration. She also facilitates art workshops that incorporate a variety of techniques, many of which use natural or recycled materials. For more information about Trace Balla, please visit http://traceballa.yolasite.com/.

Ann Harth is a published children's author and writing tutor at Australian College of Journalism. She loves to read and is committed to creating children's literature that inspires, entertains and triggers a tiny twist in the mind. Her latest middle-grade novel, The Art of Magic, was released in 2012.