Once I Was a Giant (Zeno Sworder, T&H)

Zeno Sworder’s Once I Was a Giant is a poetic and richly drawn picture book about memory, connection and renewal. In a dim apartment, a ‘picture-book maker’ has run out of ideas when his pencil unexpectedly starts telling a story. What follows is a journey through the pencil’s memories, starting from a seed and growing into a tree that becomes a home for birds and insects, and a friend to a tiny, otherworldly visitor known only as the wanderer. But as machines approach, the tree understands her time is ending. As the pencil wears down, it reveals how life can begin again. Drawing on Daoist and Buddhist philosophy, the book celebrates the constant transformation and deep interconnectedness of life. Inspired by Sworder’s childhood love of trees, the illustrations blend comic-book panels with dreamy full-page artwork that echoes the book’s themes of loss, hope and rebirth. Sworder (My Strange Shrinking Parents) uses scale to powerful effect, capturing the grandeur of the tree, while a stunning gatefold spread reveals the rejuvenated forest in all its glory, offering a moment of visual awe. While suitable for readers aged 5+, the book’s layered storytelling and detailed illustrations are something readers of all ages can savour. 

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is reviews editor for Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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