Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Then She Sang A Willow Song is an inspirational book by Gemma Benton, detailing the connection between Indigenous peoples, their land and their ancestors. The Tree of Life is a powerful symbol, as it stands for the connection of the Elements as well as the connection to those who came before us. When we feel so low and lost that we want to choose Death over Life, we need to think of the struggles of our ancestors who, at the time, were not just fighting for themselves but were also fighting for us – future generations – so that we may thrive. Indigenous people celebrate with Nature. Fire, Air, Water, Earth and the Spirits give us life and we celebrate through dance and song within our tribes. Therein lies the role of the Willow, a specific type of tree which can bend with all of those Natural Elements. Willow is used for many purposes in Indigenous life, from weaving baskets, creating places for babies to sleep, gathering food and water, building shelters and smoke-houses. Willow is also sacred and is hand-woven by the tribal women with love and with song. When the writer witnessed Willow baskets at a museum, a feeling of mourning came over her. The baskets were no more than trophies to the handlers at the museum – something of wonder to be looked at by people who had no knowledge of how important the baskets were to the people who had made them.

As a proud Indigenous woman of Australia, I was able to fully relate to the words in this book and even shed a tear when the Willow baskets were treated with such disrespect. Then She Sang A Willow Song was aptly named for the ending of the book, when Gemma Benton felt sadness and mourning at the sight of the Willow baskets at the museum. Indigenous people belong to the Earth and our roles go back many thousands of years. The empowering words which were used throughout the book at regular intervals gave strength and encouragement for better days ahead, encouraging me to draw my strength and love from the ancestors who came before me, teaching me that each decision that I make in life is not only for my own benefit, but for the benefit of the future generations that are to come. I very much enjoyed reading this story from the viewpoint of an Indigenous American, and recommend Gemma Benton’s beautifully written, insightful and educational book to all people who seek a better connection with Nature, and who wish to learn more about the world’s Indigenous peoples and the reasons for our love of the land.