The Garden of Wonder: Owensboro Women Celebrate Butterflies in Vibrant New Book
Marcia Carpenter of Owensboro has a storied history with the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden. She has deep family ties to the property and many of the features displayed there. It's her love of the garden that has inspired her to support it over the years. She has served as a board member and has now written and released a wonderfully vibrant book that pays tribute to the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden and the butterflies that are part of its beautiful majesty. That book- The Garden of Wonder- was released today.
I spoke with Marcia, as we strolled the garden grounds this morning, shortly after she picked up her first copies of the book. That book, which features gorgeously ornate illustrations by Bonnie Nance, tells the story of a Monarch butterfly named Cora. Cora happens to share her name with Marcia's granddaughter. According to Marcia, it was the perfect name for the main character in the book. She says, "Cora rhymes with flora."
The preface to the book explains the importance of having Cora the butterfly as its lead character. Marcia writes, "We value butterflies and other pollinators because they make life on Earth possible. And because they inspire us with their beauty."
That's what Marcia hopes to do with her book. Inspire! She adds, "It is our responsibility to teach the next generation about stewardship of the land we inhabit." That's precisely what The Garden of Wonder does. The book teaches the 'next generation' about the life cycle of the butterfly and the vitality and necessity of pollination. In a nod to the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden's signature festival, Cora's importance to the daylilies is highlighted. The garden is the site of the annual Dazzling Daylily Festival.
Of course, the daylilies are just one part of the beautiful story that is the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden.
According to Executive Director Laurna Strehl, "Marcia's book coincides with our Monarch Day" which is coming up Saturday, August 3rd.
100% of proceeds from the book will benefit the garden. The Garden of Wonder is currently available exclusively in the gift shop for just $12. You can also purchase your copy online by CLICKING HERE.
Laurna adds, "It's such a generous gesture of both Marcia and Bonnie. I have a feeling her supply of 100 books will need to be upgraded to 1000 copies."
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Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart