Review: Leaf Light – A Story About Caring For Each Other

This book is completely and utterly gorgeous! From the multi-awarded author and illustrator Trace Balla, Leaf Light is the perfect companion for readers of all abilities.

More than a graphic novel, it could also be described as poetry in motion.

In fact, Leaf Light is actually just an incredibly shiny, warming and captivating story of being connected to the wider world through friendship, nature and taking down barriers – quite literally!

Told from Miri’s point of view, we join her quest to look after a rescued baby emu and travel through her days and nights of friendship, heartbreak, nurture, loneliness, connection, creativity, building leaf-light platforms high in trees and sitting around campfires in the backyard on Djaara Country. 

The story is very funny, poignant, respectful and informative. Like a warm hug, it glows through your heart to seep into the furthest reaches of your body, where it nestles and sings.

Depicting the language, country and customs of various peoples and critters, this book is, quite simply, a feast for the senses. It’s the kind of narrative that rewards re-reading, because on every double spread (and there are a lot of these – 80 pages worth), there are a multitude of ‘asides’ and ‘information’ bubbles that the reader can choose to pore over, or not. Thus, the book can be read quickly over a couple of hours, or savoured slowly over days and weeks.

Touted as a stand-alone companion to the author’s Landing With Wings, this book is truly original. Deliberately crafted to have us all thinking outside our respective boxes, it is ageless and timeless.

Simply stunning.

Title: Leaf Light – A Story About Caring For Each Other
Author Illustrator: Trace Balla
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $27.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760526207
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture Book for Older Readers