Nature-inspired children’s book blooms in Geelong

A children’s story about the power of a single plant to reconnect young people with nature has taken root in Geelong.

Regenerative architect and biophilic design specialist Fiona Gray launched Gretel Petal and the Blooming City at Valley Road Nursery this month, sharing a story inspired by her belief that children need stronger connections to the natural world.

 

The book follows a young girl, Gretel, whose life is gradually transformed by a small plant she brings home and nurtures.

“Gretel Petal and the Blooming City began with a simple idea, that a child’s care for one small plant can open up a whole world of connection,” Gray said.

“I wanted children to feel the magic of nature close to home, not as something distant or complicated, but as something they can notice, nurture and delight in every day.”

Gray said the idea for the book emerged after a trip to overseas, where she observed families living with little connection to the natural environment.

 

“I felt like that was the children’s book that needed to be written about how we can live in urban environments but still have that connection to nature,” she said.

She quickly realised the same challenge existed closer to home.

“We are becoming more and more urbanised,” Gray said. “Our kids spend so much of their time indoors.

“You can’t love what you don’t know.”

Bringing the story to life became easier when illustrator Emma Stuart joined the project.

 

Gray said Stuart’s first sketch of Gretel was exactly how she had imagined the character.

“It was exactly what I was imagining in my mind,” Gray said. “It was just very, very serendipitous that we both aligned so well.”

Gray said Valley Road Nursery was the ideal venue to launch the book.

“A nursery is such a beautiful place to share this book because children will be surrounded by the colours, textures and living things that sit at the heart of Gretel’s story,” she said.