Parks for the People, Elizabeth Partridge
Parks for the People, Elizabeth Partridge
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Parks for the People
How Frederick Law Olmsted Designed America

Author: Elizabeth Partridge

Narrator: Dani Martineck

Unabridged: 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/05/2022


Synopsis

National Book Award finalist Elizabeth Partridge reveals the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park, the United States Capitol building's landscape, and more.

Nobody could get Frederick Law Olmsted to sit still. He was filled with energy, adventure, and dreams of changing the world. As a boy, he found refuge in the peace and calm of nature, and later as an adult, he dreamed of designing and creating access to parks for a growing and changing America. When New York City held a contest for the best park design for what would become Central Park, Olmsted won and became the father of landscape architecture. He went on to design parks across America, including Yosemite National Park and even the grounds for the United States Capitol.

National Book Award finalist Elizabeth Partridge brings her renowned lyricism and meticulous research to the visionary who brought parks to the people.

About The Author

Elizabeth Partridge is a National Book Award finalist, Printz Honor Winner, and author of several nonfiction books for children, including Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea Lange; This Land Was Made for You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie; John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth; Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don't You Grow Weary, and Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area.Becca Stadtlander is an illustrator and fine artist inspired by the beauty of everyday objects, the comforts of home, and the lush colors and landscapes of far-off places. Her work is featured in children's and adult books, editorial publications, stationery, home-decor products, and book covers. She attended the Maryland Institute College of Art and currently lives and works in her hometown of Covington, Kentucky.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Lisa on June 07, 2022

I thoroughly enjoyed this picture book biography. I’ve always been interested in the man and this book takes the reader though his entire life. I found the narrative interesting. There are a lot of topics that could be brought up for discussion but the way they’re related is appropriate even for you......more

Goodreads review by Panda on June 13, 2022

This well-illustrated picture book biography shares Frederick Law Olmsted's life story and highlights some of his main accomplishments, especially the democratizing effects of his public parks. Both the text and author's note acknowledge groups that experienced displacement both prior to and because......more

Goodreads review by Charlotte on March 04, 2023

A lovely picture book for grown-up readers; I learned much and appreciated the lovely pictures. Not sure the actual picture book demographic will be appreciative..........more

Goodreads review by Melissa on April 21, 2022

A solid and interesting biography of Olmsted that delivers several intriguing facts. Olmsted was 31 and hadn't really succeeded at anything, when he was given the job of overseeing the laborers clearing land for Central Park. He and an architect friend submitted a plan for the park's design and won.......more

Goodreads review by Marsha on July 04, 2024

I'd known about Frederick Olmstead and his creation of certain parks and walkways in America. This children's book sheds a light on certain other aspects of his visions and set them firmly within a 19th-century America that still didn't care much about the rights of anyone except certain upper-class......more


Quotes

“Stadtlander’s vivid, architectural-model-like images of places in Olmsted’s life provide myriad details to pore over. . . A worthy purchase for history collections.” --Booklist