In Frieda Wishinsky’s new book, young readers learn about parks, gardens and public green spaces throughout history and why it’s important to protect them for future generations. Hear from Frieda about what inspired her to write Keep Our World Green and what some of her favorite parks are.
What inspired you to write Keep Our World Green?
I grew up in the busy, noisy bustle of New York City and green spaces like parks were beautiful, magical places to play, walk, talk and enjoy beauty.
It’s so lovely to read about your passion for parks and green space! What ignited that passion for you?
I hope readers of all ages will look around and appreciate the beauty of green space. I hope they will realize how important green space is to our lives and even our existence.
Tricky question, but if you had to pick one or two favorite parks from the ones you have visited over the years, which ones would you pick?
My favorite park has to be Central Park. It has everything—towering trees, flowers, paths, bridges, ponds and birds—and it’s right in the heart of a city. Central Park is the park I loved as a kid and as a grown-up. It’s full of memories and yet each time I visit I see and feel something new.
What is your favorite activity to do in green space?
I love just looking at what’s around me in green spaces. I notice flowers and the curve of a tree. I look at colors and how they change green spaces during the day and through the seasons.
What are some facts that you learned while researching this book that stood out to you?
I didn’t realize how much artists, musicians, composers and writers have been influenced by the green spaces in their lives. Green space is vital to everything we do and adds to feeling calm and happy.
You took many of the photos featured in the book. What draws you to photographing parks and green space?
I love taking photos because it makes me look carefully at what is around me. I notice all sorts of things I might not have seen if I wasn’t focused on taking a picture. It enhances the joy I feel being somewhere beautiful. And then I can revisit that feeling when I look at my pictures later.
What plants do you grow in your mini garden in your apartment? Have you learned anything surprising while growing plants indoors?
I grow succulents on my many south-facing windows. It’s important to see how much light you get when you decide on a plant’s location, and then it’s key to watch what happens to that plant. Is it thriving? Is it getting fuller or losing leaves? Notice when it needs water.
What suggestions would you have for readers hoping to advocate for green space or cultivate a green space of their own?
You can get involved in creating green space or helping green space around you thrive by joining a community or school garden, growing something in your yard or on a windowsill. Share cuttings with friends. Grow vegetables if you can.
What do you hope readers learn or take away after reading your book?
I hope readers will realize how important green space is to their lives, how walking in green spaces makes you feel good and how important preserving green space is to life on our planet. I hope readers will cherish our green spaces, help create more and protest when green spaces are being destroyed.
Frieda Wishinsky is the internationally award-winning author of over 80 picture books, novels and nonfiction. Frieda loves exploring new ideas and sharing the writing process with writers and readers of all ages. Her books have been translated into many languages, including Spanish, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, French, Chinese and Korean. Frieda lives in Toronto and enjoys visiting parks, gardens and green spaces everywhere.