From Grey Streets to Green Dreams: Dr Fiona Gray Brings Gretel Petal and the Blooming City to Life

Dr Fiona Gray goes green with Gretel Petal children's book.

Geelong’s own Fiona Gray is planting the seeds of imagination in Highton this May, as her enchanting children’s book, Gretel Petal and the Blooming City, sprouts to life amidst the blooms and greenery of Valley Road Nursery.

Gretel Petal and the Blooming City book launch

When: Thursday 21 May 2026, 3.30pm
Where: Valley Road Nursery, 9 North Valley Road, Highton

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On Thursday 21 May, families are invited to step into a city transformed—one where a lonely girl, a curious little plant, and a touch of care turn grey streets into leafy wonderlands. Written by regenerative architect and biophilic design expert Dr Fiona Gray, the beautifully illustrated story follows Gretel as her single plant grows roots and shoots throughout her world, nurturing friendship, community, and the quiet power of tending to nature.

At the Valley Road Nursery launch, children can enjoy a live reading with Fiona before rolling up their sleeves for gardening activities that bring Gretel’s story into the real world. Expect hands in the soil, smiles among the blooms, and plenty of picture-perfect moments amid the flora and fauna. It’s a launch, story time, and nature time, all rolled into one exciting event.

Hosting the launch inside a nursery, Fiona says, is the perfect match for her story.

“A nursery is such a beautiful place to share this book because children will be surrounded by the colours, textures and living things that sit at the heart of Gretel’s story,” Fiona says. “I hope the afternoon feels like stepping inside the pages of the book, with families reading together, getting their hands into the garden and leaving with a little more wonder for the green spaces around them.”

Book your tickets to the book launch here, and find out more about Fiona Gray, and Gretel Petal and the Blooming City here.