The Thank You Dish (Trace Balla, A&U)

Thank You Dish is a whimsical picture book from Trace Balla, author and illustrator of Rivertime and Rockhopping. The book centres on Grace and Mama, who are thanking the people, animals and things that helped provide the food they eat. Mama starts by thanking the rain, soil and the sunshine, and then Grace thanks more surprising things, such as alpacas and road workers. It’s a sweet meditation on gratitude and sustainability, with all the elements of the meal being locally grown or caught. It also reminds readers of the connection between people and nature, and the value of community. Thank You Dish is well designed and illustrations are deceptively simple. Balla’s signature style is childlike but full of quirky details that will captivate readers. The setting is rural Australia and the illustrations are full of instantly recognisable details, such as rain-water tanks, gum trees and cockatoos. The title will appeal to fans of Australian-focussed picture books and parents looking for socially conscious stories. The language is very simple and the illustrations are engaging for all ages, but the core concepts are best suited to children aged five to 10.

Amy Nicholls-Diver is a primary literacy editor

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