The Iowa Stater, May 2001

The Iowa Stater
May 2001

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Garden book was a team effort

Creating A Child's Garden of Flowers was as easy as I-S-U. One day, Natalie Knudsen (ag journalism, ‘92) tried to name a flower for each letter in the alphabet. It took her an hour, but she did it. The freelance ag journalist and gardening enthusiast then wrote a verse for each letter. For example,

I is for Iris
an elegant temple in the garden

When she was done, she realized she had a children's book, but no idea how to publish it. She turned to her mentor — Jane Peterson, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication professor — for suggestions. Several phone calls later, her inquiry landed with the Reiman Gardens' CoHorts, whose members support the gardens through their time and annual dues. The group secured an anonymous $7,000 donation for the book project.

The next task was finding an illustrator. Enter C. Arthur Croyle, associate professor of art and design, who put together a student team from Iowa State's biological pre-medical illustration program. Croyle and four students created 26 vibrant illustrations that include rural scenes, Reiman Gardens settings, children, animals, insects and, of course, flowers.

The book should be available for sale at Reiman Gardens in June; proceeds will support operations of the gardens.