Fiona Gray
Fiona Gray is a writer, researcher, and passionate nature-lover based in regional Victoria. Trained as an architect, her work focuses on creating spaces where people and nature thrive together.
She writes regularly for lifestyle and sustainability publications, sharing insights into how nature-connected living can enrich our everyday lives. Gretel Petal and the Blooming City is her first picture book, offering a gentle invitation for children to celebrate the wonder of the natural world and nurture a sense of awe in the midst of urban life.
When she’s not designing or writing, you’ll find her wandering the rugged bushland and waterways she calls home, where native plants and animals offer quiet reminders of nature’s beauty and resilience.
Children's Picture Book
Gretel Petal and the Blooming City
Gretel Petal longs for a friend in her grey city. Then one day, she brings home a curious little plant and everything changes.
The plant grows and grows, taking over her bedroom, spilling out the window, and winding its way across the building. Soon, birds and other animals flock to its branches, causing such a stir that the neighbourhood children can't resist joining the fun.
How far will the plant’s twisting tendrils reach, and what wonders will it bring next?
Gretel Petal and the Blooming City is a joyful celebration of nature in the heart of urban life—a story about friendship, community, and the unexpected ways life can bloom around us.
