"Wetlands also provide us with fish, shellfish,
blueberries, cranberries, and wild rice. Some
wetlands supply plants for medicines. Animals
and reptiles live in wetlands. Birds feed, nest
and rest there. Wetlands improve our natural
water quality. But swamps and wetlands are
disappearing as more and more land gets
developed."
Frieda Wishinsky's voice is very personal as she introduces her audience to her early life in New York and her love for the green spaces she found there. Once she was living in Toronto, she found a book about Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of Central Park. Her admiration for Olmstead led to writing a picture book biography: The Man Who Made Parks (Tundra, 2009). Much has changed since that time, and the world has lost far too many green spaces.
This exceptional book in the Orca Timeline series helps readers understand that green spaces are needed for food growth, good health and happiness. They can, and do, bring people together. Alongside the first chapter heading Green Space Matters, Sara Theuerkauf places a montage of green spaces that include The Fertile Crescent, the Irish Potato Famine, The White House Victory Garden and the three sisters which have been relevant from 1300 until today.
The chapter is filled with engaging artwork, information boxes, a map, captioned and clear photos, and fact-filled paragraphs meant to inform. There are also green stories shared in journal-like entries, and quotes contained in green boxes. Each chapter following: (Gardens of Long Ago, Green Space for Everyone, Green Space Inspires Art, Music and Literature, Green Space in Danger, Great Green Ideas, and Green Space Builds Community), has the same design and is filled with practical text sure to find favor with interested readers.
The value of green spaces cannot be undersold. They offer protection, help in the development of medicines, act as places for celebration, and share beauty hard to beat. Artists, writers, and musicians find inspiration for their work. The dangers to their well-being are numerous and have lasting repercussions for the land and the creatures who make their homes there. There are ways to make meaningful changes. Ms. Wishinsky has ideas to share with her audience.
A glossary, resource list, acknowledgements, and an index are appended.
What do you do to celebrate the green spaces in your community, neighborhood, or backyard?
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