Overview

Gretel Petal longs for a friend in her grey city. But when she brings home a curious little plant from the market, her world begins to change as it grows in the most enchanting way. Vines curl up her bedroom walls, blossoms burst with colour, and tendrils slip out her window to wind their way across rooftops, gently transforming the neighbourhood. As the plant spreads, nature returns to the city. Birds flutter to its branches, animals gather among the leaves, and the neighbourhood starts to come alive. Before long, children are climbing up to Gretel’s room to explore the leafy wonderland that has bloomed around her. What began as a quiet wish for a friend becomes a joyful, shared discovery. Gretel Petal & the Blooming City is a heartwarming picture book about loneliness, the power of nature to connect us, and the unexpected ways friendship can grow. With lush illustrations and lyrical storytelling, it celebrates urban greening, nature play, and the joy that blossoms when we nurture something with care. Perfect for young readers who love gentle magic, nature‑rich tales, and stories where small acts can spark big change.

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9780645903607

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Author Information

Author: Fiona Gray is a regenerative architect, writer, and sustainability practitioner with more than 25 years of experience exploring how nature connected environments can enrich everyday life. Her work focuses on creating places where people and the natural world can thrive together, and she regularly contributes to lifestyle and sustainability publications on the value of nature based living. Her debut picture book, Gretel Petal and the Blooming City, draws on this deep professional background to introduce children to themes of care, community, and the transformative power of nature through a warm and imaginative story. Illustrator: Emma Stuart has been illustrating children’s books for more than 25 years, bringing to life over 230 titles during her career. Her work has been published by Hachette, New Frontier, Little Steps, Brolly Books, the Enid Blyton Estate, Book Group, and the ABC, and she has also illustrated a title for the Duchess of York through Serenity Press. While Emma works primarily in watercolour, she is equally at home with acrylics, oils, pen and ink, and pencil. Her characters are full of warmth and personality, offering readers a delightful sense of light-heartedness on every page. Her recent awards and acknowledgements include the 2021 Literary Titan Book Award for Charlie, Blue and Larry Lamppost (written by Sarah Ferguson), finalist recognition in the 2014 International Book Awards for Climb (written by Caroline Tuohey), and a shortlist placement in Australia’s Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards in 2013. In addition to her illustration work, Emma regularly exhibits her landscape paintings at cbONE Gallery in Melbourne.

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