Tag: trace balla

Rockhopping by Trace Balla

The first time Uncle Egg took me on an adventure, canoeing, it was his idea. This time the adventure was my idea – or maybe it was both of ours …

‘I wonder where all this water comes from.’

‘How about we go and find out sometime, kid?

Well, some time came and some time went, and I was ready to go looking for the source of the river … or at least I thought so.

The first time Uncle Egg took me on an adventure, canoeing, it was his idea. This time the adventure was my idea – or maybe it was both of ours …

‘I wonder where all this water comes from.’

‘How about we go and find out sometime, kid?

Well, some time came and some time went, and I was ready to go looking for the source of the river … or at least I thought so.

Clancy and Uncle Egg are off on another adventure. This time, they’re off to seek the source of the Glenelg River. Clancy is ready to go, but discovers that first he has to do some preparation. Fortunately, Uncle Egg knows just what to do, and Clancy is soon in training. Then they plan what has to go in each of their backpacks, before setting off in the train to Gariwerd (Grampians) in Western Victoria. Their hike takes them up and down hills and mountains and includes plenty of adventure, both expected and unplanned. In addition to the narrative, local fauna and flora are identified throughout and in the endpapers, both in local languages and in English. Indigenous and colonial history are both explored. ‘Rockhopping is an 80-page graphic novel, wrapped in a picture book hardcover.

Clancy and Uncle Egg’s first outing, canoeing along the Glenelg River, is detailed in ‘Rivertime’. Rockhopping sees the pair searching for the source of the same river. They know where to look for it, but looking and finding are different things. It’s very clear that the joy is in the journey as much as – if not more than – the destination. Trace Balla fills her pages with adventure and knowledge. Clancy, the viewpoint character is a primary school student, and embodies a wonderful blend of openness, innocence and knowledge. He is happy to learn from his uncle and others they encounter, but he’s also developing a calmness and resilience and some great problem-solving skills. Rockhopping is a rich, accessible delight. Highly recommended for mid-primary plus.

Rockhopping, Trace Balla
Allen & Unwin 2016 ISBN: 9781760112349

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Shine: A Story About Saying Goodbye, by Trace Balla

Shine
And when they looked up into the sky,
there, shining brightest of all, was their special star,
the star called Shine.
‘This was their daddy’s star,
looking down on them, shining its bright.
golden light onto them and into their hearts,
for ever and ever.

Far away and long ago, a young horse lives amongst the golden stars. His name is Shine, and when he meets a lovely horse named Glitter, they are both happy – especially when they have two children, Shimmer and Sparkly. But the time comes when Shine has to go back to the stars, leaving Glitter and the children in mourning. Glitter cries and cries, but after a while she and the children climb a mountain to see the golden ocean that their tears have made. Not only do they see the vast ocean, but they also see the stars in the sky – including the special star, Shine.

Shine is a poignant tale of love and loss, told in simple way which helps to explore the topics of death and grief both for children in similar situations as well as for those who may not yet have experienced such loss.

Created by Trace Balla for her sister and her chidlren after the loss of their husband and father, Shine is a beuatiful gift for that family and for other families too.

Shine, by Trace Balla
Allen & Unwin, 2015
ISBN 9781743316344

Available from good bookstores and online.