The Creation of Central Park by Ashley Benham Yazdani & Birds by Carme Lemniscates [Review & 2-winner Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Birds by Carme Lemniscates

ISBN: 9781536201789

My thoughts:  Simple illustrations created with a full palette of colors both soft and bold tell the simple story of the lovely creature that is the "Bird." Not detailed or like a study in birds of the world, it simply introduces the creatures for what they are to us - small, large, sweet sounding or harsh, friendly or strident. An assortment of creatures is the whole of the bird creation.

And then the author and artist takes the young reader on an emotional journey with the beautiful birds when the story states that "nearly all like to have conversations." Have you ever thought of their chirping and tweets as a conversation? Surely that is exactly what it is.

And then to us and our feelings and needs.... "A birds song is like the loving words of a friend." "A happy song that greets us every morning."

This is a sweet book and will be a child-pleaser. Check it out at your favorite library or perhaps you'd like to purchase a copy for keeps.

About the book: Brilliant graphic illustrations and a gentle, thought-provoking text pay homage to birds and their wonder-inspiring ways.

Birds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They like to chat with one another as they fly high and low in the sky. Birds make music, with songs that are like the loving words of a friend, and we are lucky enough to enjoy those sweet melodies. But best of all, birds are capable of flying wherever they please — they just let their hearts guide them. And we can do that, too, if we use our imaginations. In a lyrical ode to our winged friends, the creator of Trees turns her eye to a diverse class of creatures that has much to teach about transcending the barriers that lie between us.

A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park by Ashley Benham Yazdani

ISBN: 9780763696955

My thoughts: Using picture books to teach and help young minds and hearts grow a love for our world and its beauty is a wonderful concept. This lovely and fun-to-read book shows how New York City's Central Park was created.

It opens the door for discussion of land use and the need for us to  have green spaces around us. The book doesn't really get into those topics, but they are between the lines.

So it starts out by identifying the problem earlier settlers of New York had created by removal of all the trees from an area and by building so many structures. They decided to hold a contest for someone to take a particularly blighted area and design a lovely green park for the New York residents to use.

I found the information quite interesting in the manner that the winner's design was used and how it utilized the types of plants to create illusions. They didn't just plant trees, bushes, flowers, and grass. They created a varied area with a host of architecture in the bridges designs. The provided water ares - pond, stream - and walk areas as well as carriage areas. They reintroduced squirrels.

I've never seen Central Park but I see how invaluable this spot of green in a high rise brick and mortar city would be to the physical and emotional health of the people.

I am thankful for parks and I feel certain the folks in New York are, too.

About the book: How did Central Park become a vibrant gem in the heart of New York City? Follow the visionaries behind the plan as it springs to green life.

In 1858, New York City was growing so fast that new roads and tall buildings threatened to swallow up the remaining open space. The people needed a green place to be — a park with ponds to row on and paths for wandering through trees and over bridges. When a citywide contest solicited plans for creating a park out of barren swampland, Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted put their heads together to create the winning design, and the hard work of making their plans a reality began. By winter, the lake opened for skating. By the next summer, the waterside woodland known as the Ramble opened for all to enjoy. Meanwhile, sculptors, stone masons, and master gardeners joined in to construct thirty-four unique bridges, along with fountains, pagodas, and band shells, making New York's Central Park a green gift to everyone. Included in the end matter are bios of Vaux and Olmsted, a bibliography, and engaging factual snippets.

GIVEAWAY

2 winners win both books

Begins March 15

Ends April 10 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA and CANADA addresses

No P.O. Boxes - Phone # for Canada winners

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of each book to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copies are provided and mailed/shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick.