Michelle's Garden: How the First Lady Planted Seeds of Change

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.)

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