Trace Balla, Leaf-light: A story about caring for each other, Allen & Unwin, August 2023, RRP $16.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760526207
Leaf-light tells a gentle, heart-warming story, in graphic novel format, about the pleasures of nature and community collaboration, with reference to Dja Dja Wurrung knowledge, language and culture. It is written by award winning author, Trace Balla.
Miri loves her special “leaf-light” look out spot on a plank, in her backyard tree, from which she can survey nature around her on Djaara Country. Next door lives Wingo and his extended family whose home is a hive of activity. Besides growing food, preserving and storing food, helping neighbours, even welcoming a new baby sister, Miri is most enamoured with their enterprise of raising rescued baby wildlife. When Wingo’s Dad brings home a rescued emu egg, Miri is besotted with the cute, tiny hatchling, named Barramal. But is she courting disaster by getting too close to Barramal?
Leaf-light is not only a sweet, engaging story, it is also a learning experience. I love the way Balla references interesting facts about bush tucker and plants and animals, by playfully labelling drawings, inviting the reader to discover items in the detail of her illustrations. Concepts of Australian First Nations culture are also incidental to the “speech bubble” discussions.
All in all, Balla has used graphic novel format to great effect. Her lovely cartoon style drawings, in muted colours of nature, depict the energy, activity and attributes of the characters and their surroundings. The images also portray the landscape and fauna and flora of Djaara Country, better than words can.
Being in graphic novel format, Leaf-light is an excellent option for 6 to 10 year old reluctant readers, or newly independent readers, especially to entice them to diversify their graphic novel reading experiences away from the usual humour and fast paced action genres.
I recommend this book also for any readers who relate to the pleasures of being close to nature.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz
