Michelle's garden How the first lady planted seeds of change

Sharee Miller

Book - 2021

"The story of Michelle Obama and her time in the White House, where she led in the growth of a kitchen garden"--

Saved in:

Children's Room Show me where

jE/Miller
2 / 2 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
Children's Room jE/Miller Checked In
Children's Room jE/Miller Checked In
Subjects
Genres
Illustrated works
Picture books
Published
New York, NY : Little, Brown and Company 2021.
Language
English
Main Author
Sharee Miller (author)
Edition
First edition
Physical Description
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 29 cm
Audience
Ages 4-8
ISBN
9780316458573
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Beginning with how Michelle Obama's earliest introduction to healthy lifestyle choices bloomed into a love of fresh produce and staying active, Miller pays tribute to the figure's eventual hope "to help all kids be healthier." As First Lady, aiming to excite kids about "eating more fruits and vegetables," Obama creates the largest kitchen garden in White House history, despite having never before gardened. Unsure where to begin, she invites chefs and gardeners to show her the ropes, and students to help plant, water, and harvest the 1,100-sq.-ft. plot--planting seeds that inspire "more families, schools, and urban communities across the country to build their own." Miller's watercolor, colored pencil, and ink illustrations show expressive images of Obama's unyielding commitment to the project alongside tools needed to get the job done. Back matter includes additional information about the White House Kitchen Garden and an easy-to-follow activity for starting a paper cup garden. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 1--3--This engaging work of narrative nonfiction follows the story of former First Lady Michelle Obama's White House kitchen garden project. It includes brief mentions of her family life and childhood but the main focus is the garden and the hopes and goals that inspired it. Particularly special about this work is the focus on a healthy lifestyle. The prose is simple and clear and is most appropriate for younger students. The work is not so simple, however, as to alienate older, elementary-age children. The fun and vivid illustrations portray the action in the book, which supports younger students in comprehension. Drawings are done in line and filled in with watercolorlike colors. This work would be excellent to start a unit where students grow plants. It would also make a great part of a launch to a larger campus project, like a school garden. Back matter includes a photograph of the project, author's note, and instructions for growing a paper cup plant. VERDICT A delightful work of narrative nonfiction that focuses on healthy living, this book is recommended for all school libraries.--Christina Salazar, Mesquite I.S.D., TX

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

A young readers' introduction to the work and legacy of former first lady Michelle Obama. Miller opens with young Michelle Robinson and her brother as children riding their bicycles. "Before Michelle Obama was the First Lady, she was a kid just like you," she writes, making her subject immediately accessible to young readers. The future first lady is seen enjoying a healthy diet full of veggies as a child and providing the same experience for her own family as an adult. The family exercises and eats home-cooked meals together, with Barack Obama and their daughters asking for more, just as Michelle Obama had done as a child. Miller describes how Michelle Obama sought assistance from White House chefs and gardeners and how she invited local students (depicted as a diverse group) to join in building and maintaining the garden. The bright cartoon illustrations detail both the tools needed and the work involved in building the lush garden. An author's note shares additional information about the first lady's garden, a 2010 photo of Michelle Obama at work in it, and a graphic guide to starting a garden with seeds planted in paper cups. Also included is a photo of Michelle Obama from 2010, working with a group of students in the White House garden. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 60.2% of actual size.) Sure to encourage readers to eat their veggies and join Michelle Obama's table, even if all they start with is a cup. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.