Welcome to the magical green garden! Step into a world of enchantment and wonder where lush foliage, vibrant flowers, and delicate fairy lights create a breathtaking haven. As you enter the garden, you will be captivated by the intoxicating scent of blooming flowers that fills the air. The vibrant colors of the blossoms paint a picture of vibrant beauty, bringing the garden to life in a mesmerizing way. Take a leisurely stroll along the winding paths and discover hidden treasures at every turn. Rest on a quaint bench tucked away beneath a canopy of ancient trees and let the tranquility of soft birdsong and gentle rustling leaves wash over you. Marvel at the variety of plant life that calls this garden home.
Marvel at the variety of plant life that calls this garden home. From cascading ivy and lush ferns to exotic orchids and delicate roses, each plant has its own story to tell. Some plants even light up at night, casting a magical glow upon the surroundings.
A husband and wife reimagine fairy tales with Black children in mind
Bathed in a golden light, she looks out from a photo resembling a fashion magazine spread with a commanding stare, surrounded by massive teddy bears. Instead of yellow curly hair, she wears thick, afro-textured, honey blonde locs.
This is the Goldilocks of CROWNED: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora by husband and wife photographers Kahran and Regis Bethencourt. The two have reimagined familiar stories with photographs of Black children and, occasionally, new plot points, in an elaborate book of 141 photos.
It's the sequel to 2021's GLORY: Magical Visions of Black Beauty.
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The book is broken down into three categories: Classic fairy tales, African and African American Folktales and original stories. The couple intentionally casts Black children of different ages, skin tones and hair textures in traditionally white roles, like Cinderella.
Cinderella becomes Asha in this retelling. CROWNED hide caption
toggle caption CROWNEDIn the retelling of Cinderella, "Asha the Little Cinder Girl," Asha wears an extravagant blue gown with purple tulle shooting from the bottom as Jamal, her Prince Charming, slides on a white high-top sneaker instead of a glass slipper.
Perhaps the most striking element in the picture is Asha's hair, a structure of carefully placed black braids and white pearls piled high on top of her head.
"I think it's important for, specifically, Black and brown kids to be able to see themselves reflected in the stories that they read growing up," Kahran said.
The Bethencourts began their photography careers in Atlanta in 2009. For a while, they worked in the children's fashion industry, capturing headshots for adolescent actors and shooting campaigns for kids' brands. But they noticed a specific and unsettling pattern among Black children in the industry.
Poisoned Apple, from the book CROWNED, which casts Black children as the central characters in fairy and folk tales. CROWNED hide caption
toggle caption CROWNED"We realized that a lot of the kids that had natural Afro hair would come in to get their headshots and the parents would have their hair straightened because they thought that's what they needed to do to get their kids into the industry," Kahran said.
"We thought, 'Gosh, wow! At an early age we're teaching our kids that they're not acceptable, that their looks are not good enough.'"
The two began doing personal projects where Black children were encouraged to wear their natural hair in fashionable settings. Staying connected to the industry helped them build enough clientele to create their own photography company, CreativeSoul.
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Candyland, from the book Crowned, which retells familiar stories with Black children. CROWNED hide caption
toggle caption CROWNEDCROWNED is a visual representation of the CreativeSoul original mission: celebrate and embrace natural Black beauty. But the book also showcases Regis and Kahran's ability to imagine and translate new worlds.
"Goldi: The Girl with the Golden Locks" was the favorite story for Regis to retell because the original story "didn't really have a lesson at the end."
"It pretty much was a story about a privileged girl going in and just eating everything and just leaving and going back home," he said. "No lesson learned."
In CROWNED, Goldi is still a privileged girl, but she is welcomed into the bears' home. The bears don't have much, but they have each other and a once-haughty Goldi leaves the house with three new friends and an appreciation for nurturing her relationships.
Changing the ending "was so cool for me because I feel like we're actually changing history," Regis said.
Treasures from the sea nestle in the little mermaid's rosy hair as she strikes a royal pose. CROWNED hide caption
toggle caption CROWNEDThe book was released May 23, three days before the live action film The Little Mermaid premiered with Halle Bailey, a Black woman with natural locs, as Ariel, a princess and the main character.
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Like the live-action adaption of The Little Mermaid, the Bethencourts' version is setting the standard for Black representation in traditionally white spaces.
The husband and wife duo dress Aliyah, the little mermaid, in silver jewels and colorful pearls from head-to-toe. As she floats under the sea, she plays in her big red flowing hair filled with loose braids, shells, leaves and bright red tulle.
Aliyah holds her head high in every shot like the most confident, royal figures. She stares off into the distance and also directly at the camera, as if to say this story was always her own.
Lisa Lambert edited this digital story.
"They've made the capturing and the depiction of the beauty and the limitlessness of blackness their mission. Their edict." — Damon Young, Founder of VerySmartBrothas.com
The garden's centerpiece is a magnificent fountain that glistens under the sunlight or moonlight. Its soothing sounds complement the tranquil atmosphere, creating a serene environment perfect for those seeking solace or inspiration. At night, the garden transforms into a whimsical wonderland. As fairy lights twinkle overhead, you'll feel as though you've stepped into a storybook. Fireflies dance through the air, adding an ethereal charm to this already enchanting place. This magical green garden is not only a feast for the senses, but it also provides a sanctuary for wildlife. Butterflies flit from flower to flower, while birds chirp and build nests among the branches. The garden's serenity offers a safe haven for creatures great and small. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat, inspiration for your own garden, or simply a place to reconnect with nature, the magical green garden welcomes you. Step inside and let the beauty and tranquility of this enchanting haven captivate your heart and imagination..
Reviews for "Escaping Reality: Creating Your Own Magical Green Garden"
1. Jen - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Magical Green Garden. The advertisement made it seem like this place was a magical oasis, but when I arrived, it was just an overgrown and unkempt garden. The paths were poorly maintained and there were weeds everywhere. I also didn't find anything particularly magical about the place. It just felt like an ordinary garden that hadn't been taken care of. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time and money on this attraction.
2. Mark - 1 star - I had high hopes for the Magical Green Garden, but it turned out to be a complete letdown. The garden was in a sorry state with dead plants, broken fixtures, and overall neglect. It definitely did not live up to its name. The lack of maintenance and care was evident everywhere you looked. I expected to find a serene and enchanting atmosphere, but instead, I was met with disappointment and frustration. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this so-called magical garden.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - My visit to the Magical Green Garden was quite underwhelming. The garden lacked proper organization and the pathways were confusing and poorly marked. It was difficult to navigate around, and I found myself getting lost multiple times. The garden itself was not as beautiful or well-maintained as I had anticipated. The charm and magic that were promised in the description were simply not present. Overall, it was a forgettable experience and not worth the time or money.
4. Tom - 1 star - The Magical Green Garden was a waste of time and money. The garden was overrun with pests, and I spent most of my visit swatting away mosquitoes and flies. The plants and flowers were wilted and dying, giving the garden a gloomy and depressing atmosphere. I expected to be transported to a magical realm, but instead, I left feeling frustrated and irritated. I would not recommend this place to anyone seeking a truly magical garden experience.
5. Lisa - 2 stars - I had heard great things about the Magical Green Garden, but my visit left me feeling underwhelmed. The garden was lacking in maintenance, with overgrown vegetation and broken structures. The overall appearance was shabby and neglected. Additionally, the promised magical elements were nowhere to be found. The garden felt ordinary and uninspiring. I was disappointed by the lack of enchantment and would not recommend it to others seeking a magical garden experience.