A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park

Written and Illustrated by Ashley Benham Yazdani

In 1858, as New York City grew, so also did the distance citizens had to go to find open spaces. Central Manhattan had few trees and a lot of muddy, rocky places. Calvert Vaux convinced the city fathers to set aside an area for all New Yorkers to enjoy. He partnered with Frederick Law Olmsted to design the area that became Central Park. This fascinating story of the development of that area is entertaining an eye opener for the reader. To show the enormity of the project to develop the park, she talks about many of the people who had a role. Even the original plan included time for visitors to color in grass and trees.

The author uses her art background to highlight some of the more picturesque aspects of the park, including the thirty-four distinctive arches and bridges within the park. She adds to the reader’s interest by including things to look for, such as the squirrels that needed to be introduced to the park.

This would be a great addition to a classroom unit on conservation, history, or the importance of green spaces. It’s fun also as independent reading, especially given the fame of the area everyone knows as Central Par.

  • Green Place to BeTitle: A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park
  • Author/Illustrator: Ashley Benham Yazdani
  • Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2019
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska                                                                                                                                     
  • Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
  • Grade Level: 2 to 5
  • Genre: History, Gardening
  • ISBN: 978-1-7636-9695-5
  • Extras: Additional background, Author’s Note, Bibliography

 

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