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Treeshape
Brief Description
Ever since I was a kid my favourite place has always been up a tree - where everything I notice feels like a part of me. Every birdsong, every leaf's light, every butterfly's dance . . .This beautiful book tells the story of young Trace's awakening...
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Format: Hardback
$3699
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Treeshape
$3699
Unit price
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An extraordinary, inspiring and hope-filled graphic novel from the multi-award-winning creator of Rivertime, Rockhopping, Landing with Wings and Leaf-light, Trace Balla's stunning memoir reveals her personal and life-changing experiences of place, her understanding of the natural world and her relationship to Country.
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Description
Ever since I was a kid my favourite place has always been up a tree - where everything I notice feels like a part of me. Every birdsong, every leaf's light, every butterfly's dance . . .
This beautiful book tells the story of young Trace's awakening to the preciousness of the environment, including her participation in the protests against uranium mining at Jabiluka in the 1980s. Channelling her gift for visual storytelling, Trace reveals emotional truths, shares her commitment to environmental activism, highlights trees that have been meaningful in her life, and explores her deep appreciation of place and connection with First Nations peoples.
With its delicate artwork, heartfelt storytelling and timely themes of compassion and environmental care, this graphic novel will resonate with readers of all ages.
'Treeshape is brimming with humanity and bursting with the wholesome imagery and folk wisdom that magnify the small details of life - a generous act of love from a rare Australian artist.' - Shane Howard, singer/songwriter, Goanna
PRAISE FOR TRACE BALLA'S BOOKS:
'Another lovely adventure from Trace Balla. Rich in country and family, deep in care for the future.' BRUCE PASCOE
'A beautiful book about being connected to the world at ground level. I feel like I've made a new friend through Trace's exquisitely accessible drawings and gentle prose.' ALISON LESTER
'Reminiscent of Alison Lester and Roland Harvey, this is a story about moving slowly, looking carefully and remaining curious, and it is a book that leads by example. It is spellbinding.' BOOKS+PUBLISHING
Perfect for:
- Graphic novel fans of all ages
- Fostering a love of nature and caring for Country
- Introducing readers to the power of environmental activism
- Teachers and students of English, Visual Arts, History, First Nations Cultures and Histories and Environmental Studies
This beautiful book tells the story of young Trace's awakening to the preciousness of the environment, including her participation in the protests against uranium mining at Jabiluka in the 1980s. Channelling her gift for visual storytelling, Trace reveals emotional truths, shares her commitment to environmental activism, highlights trees that have been meaningful in her life, and explores her deep appreciation of place and connection with First Nations peoples.
With its delicate artwork, heartfelt storytelling and timely themes of compassion and environmental care, this graphic novel will resonate with readers of all ages.
'Treeshape is brimming with humanity and bursting with the wholesome imagery and folk wisdom that magnify the small details of life - a generous act of love from a rare Australian artist.' - Shane Howard, singer/songwriter, Goanna
PRAISE FOR TRACE BALLA'S BOOKS:
'Another lovely adventure from Trace Balla. Rich in country and family, deep in care for the future.' BRUCE PASCOE
'A beautiful book about being connected to the world at ground level. I feel like I've made a new friend through Trace's exquisitely accessible drawings and gentle prose.' ALISON LESTER
'Reminiscent of Alison Lester and Roland Harvey, this is a story about moving slowly, looking carefully and remaining curious, and it is a book that leads by example. It is spellbinding.' BOOKS+PUBLISHING
Perfect for:
- Graphic novel fans of all ages
- Fostering a love of nature and caring for Country
- Introducing readers to the power of environmental activism
- Teachers and students of English, Visual Arts, History, First Nations Cultures and Histories and Environmental Studies
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781761181252
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 03 March 2026
Country: Australia
Imprint: A&U Children
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Width: 185.0mm
Height: 240.0mm
Weight: 558g
Pages: 136
About the Author
Trace Balla is a much-loved Australian children's book author, illustrator and writer of song lyrics who lives on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. She has won the CBCA Book of the Year Award, the Readings Children's Book Prize, the Wilderness Society's Environment Award for Children's Literature, a Comic Arts Awards of Australia Bronze Ledger, and an Honour Award for the inaugural SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Awards. She has also been shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards (twice), Adelaide Festival Awards for Children's Literature, and ALIA Graphic's Notable Australian Graphic Novel Award.
Trace's stories explore themes of connection to Country and community, nature, friendship, gratitude, grief and human rights. She also loves to inspire others, of all ages and from all walks of life, through her talks and workshops, which explore creativity and caring for the planet. Trace does freelance illustration work, from logos to murals, and has a bookshelf ever filling with her nature journals and other reflections. Find out more about her at traceballa.com.
Also by Trace Balla
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Landing with Wings
Miri's been on the move and now she's finding her feet, her freedom, her community, and her home, treading lightly all the way. A story about spreading your wings and putting down roots in an ancient land. From the much-loved creator of Rivertime (WINNER: Readings Prize and Wilderness Society Award) and Rockhopping (WINNER: CBCA Awards). 'Another lovely adventure from Trace...Hardback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Leaf-light
NOTABLE BOOK: 2024 CBCA Book of the Year, Picture Book SHORTLISTED: 2024 Queensland Literary Awards, Children's Book Award SHORTLISTED: 2024 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature Selected as one of the Best Junior & Middle Grade Books for 2023 - Readings Books Selected for the International Youth Library's White Raven List, 2024 Join Miri in her...Hardback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Rivertime
Rivertime is a tender and beautifully illustrated tale of a boy and his bird-watching uncle on a paddling trip on Australia's Glenelg River. It is a story about slowing down, growing up, and connecting with the land and its creatures.Hardback$2999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Rockhopping
WINNER: CBCA Book of the Year, Younger Readers, 2017 Join Clancy and Uncle Egg on a rambling, rockhopping adventure in Gariwerd (the Grampians), to find the source of the Glenelg River. A story about following your flow, and the unexpected places you may go. Praise for Rivertime: 'The drawings and text teem with vitality and wonder. Verdict: enchanting.' Herald Sun...Hardback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
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