Treeshape by Trace Balla

Treeshape is the deeply moving, deeply personal story of author and illustrator Trace Balla. Using a graphic novel-style to share her journal/diary-like presentation, this stunning book shares aspects of Trace’s life journey and her learning over many years.

Beginning with her love of trees and the connection she shares with them, we learn about her early years with her family and her life in the city. For young Trace, the mother tree became her constant companion to escape the harshness and challenge of city life.

Always questioning, as Trace grows older, she begins to see the challenge that the trees and the land have to be at peace. She joins groups of environmental activists, protests against tree-logging, chooses to live sustainably and returns to her home to learn about Country.

She raises her young son Joe, firstly in the city and then in the country where they spend time learning about their local environment and always, always connecting with trees and Country. For Trace, trees are her grounding place.

The overall presentation of this book is striking. Trace has used photographs of herself and Joe, trees, plants, creatures as backgrounds, as collage pieces, alongside watercolours, ink, sepia tones, natural colours combined with handwritten text and hand drawn images.

It was a privilege to read and review Treeshape, and I hope that others have the opportunity to enjoy and be moved by such an incredible personal story.

Themes: First Nation Peoples, Trees, Connection, Environmental Activism, Country & Culture, Family, Friends, Nature, Conservation, Collage, Graphic Novel, Life Story.

Kathryn Beilby