Sneak Peek: American Grown
Monday, October 24, 2011 at 7:47 PM 
Crown Publishers, an imprint of Random House, Inc.'s Crown Publishing Group announced the title of Mrs. O's upcoming book today. American Grown: How the White House Kitchen Garden Inspires Families, Schools, and Communities by First Lady Michelle Obama will be on sale nationwide on April 10, 2012. Get your wishlist ready!
More from the official press release:
The book, Mrs. Obama’s first, will be issued simultaneously in print and digital editions. The print edition will be a gorgeously illustrated four-color hardcover that includes stunning photographs of the White House garden and Mrs. Obama throughout the seasons, as well as other community and school gardens from around the country. Mrs. Obama accepted no advance for the book and will donate all net or after-tax author proceeds to a charity or charities to be named later. Random House, Inc. will also make a donation to an appropriate charity to be named later.
Through telling the story of the White House kitchen garden, Mrs. Obama will explore in American Grown how increased access to healthy, affordable food can promote better eating habits and improve health of families and communities across America. Mrs. Obama will describe how her daughters Sasha and Malia were catalysts for change in her own family's eating behavior, which inspired Mrs. Obama to plant an edible garden on the South Lawn - the first since Eleanor Roosevelt's “Victory Garden” planted during World War II. The book will be inspirational and instructive and will provide ideas and resources for readers to get involved in the movement to create community, school, and urban gardens, support local farmers’ markets, and make small lifestyle changes to achieve big health results.
Reader Comments (26)
What a fabulous cover! I can't wait to get this book - hard cover - no digital for my house. I adore her.
Her cover for this book looks great :)
While this is a good idea; most of us do not have the property or weather to plant a small vegetable garden. However, by supporting your local farmers you can still feed your family well.
Our local grocery chain features "locally grown" veggies so help your farmers and buy local
produce whenever possible. Mrs. O has abundant experts and help to grow that garden. I, for
one, will buy my veggies from the local source.
SUPER PRETTY!!!
I just pre-ordered a copy for myself and my friend. I started a small urban garden on my friend's property this past summer. I was inspired to do so primarily by Mrs. Obama. Can't wait to read it.
@Christen, I hope you are recuperating well.
@Char millions of people grow summer vegetables in tiny spaces. I have a friend who grew tomatoes, spinach, cucumbers and peppers in 3 wooden tubs in an area 3ft X 3 ft, on her tiny co-op balcony in NYC and had enough to share with her neighbors. There are tiny community gardens all over the city. For those who want to it can be done. No one needs the support that Mrs. Obama has to grow some veggies, just the desire, that's all. I plan to read this book!
Let us not forget that growing our own organic food is yet another step in preserving a healthy environment without using up finite resources.
I will definitely buy it when it comes out. Michelle Obama is a true inspiration. I could look at pictures of her all day. I grew a few tomatoes and herbs (including basil) in my garden last year. You have not eaten a tomato until you have eaten one of your own home grown ones. I just slice the tomatoes, tore up a few basil leaves, drizzled on some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and voila, a nice healthy side dish or snack in a heartbeat.
Thank you so much, Ladywatcher...how sweet of you! I am recuperating, but my cardiologist says it will be several months until I am fully recovered. The Mrs. O. website is good medicine!
An absolutely beautiful cover, and I so love the message that Mrs. Obama is sending. She is truly an inspiration to us all. She represents America in a remarkably wonderful way. I am so proud that she is our First Lady!
This is truly inspiring. When my son was small we had a vegetable garden. I had grown up with my grandfather having a garden every year. This puts on a national scale the emphasis on fresh food. Even if you do not have access to a garden or farm stands, it can change the way you choose food. Mrs O is truly amazing. I am sure this the first of many books she will write.
I'm verklempt! This will surely be the No. 1 best seller for years to come!
Love that woman!
She IS absolutely inspiring people across the nation to get back to basics, to cook for their families instead of hitting the drive-thru, look at labels, buy fresh, buy local, grow it local! I have friends who have rented their own urban gardens and are growing vegetables and fruit for their families. So great! My father-in-law did this in a suburb of Paris and we always had fresh vegetables when we ate at his home every Sunday. It's a wonderful tradition and Mrs. Obama is bringing it home to America.
The hair and makeup make me think this was taken on the same day as the official photo with Bo.
I usually grow at least a few herbs in the backyard, but slacked off this summer. I'm inspired to do better next year.
This is super cool! We are what we eat, and Mrs. O is doing us a huge service by leading the bandwagon on nutrition.
Fabulous cover! And what a wonderful message to share. I will be purchasing the hard cover edition!
We grew an herb garden this past season (still harvesting basil) and will graduate to some easy vegetables next spring. Good eating, everyone!
"Simply the best!" I can't wait to read the book and plant a garden next year!
Mrs. O looks so happy and healthy and gorgeous. Can't wait to see this book. I'm thrilled she's doing this so families can find a way to make healthier choices. BRAVA.
Also, Mrs. O wore a cute sweater today at an event about food deserts in Chicago:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/clout/chi-111025-michelle-obama-visit-pictures,0,8331.photogallery
Especially photo #2.
This will make a grea Christmas gift for a few people I know... including myself. *tee hee hee*
Char: when I see the WH garden, I feel a little envious myself. It's amazing tho, what you can grow in a few containers on your deck or balcony. Even one of those 'topsy turvy' planters can grow bushels of tomatoes. Make a plan for next year ... you can do it!
Once again, brains and beauty! Who knew?
WE DID!
OK. ladies.....even though we are sun-deprived here in Seattle except for August, I admit I do grow herbs in pots. Does it count that we grow oysters, clams and mussels on our beach on Puget Sound? It's healthy food, not veggies, though. I do like supporting the local farmers, they need it.
I consider myself the furthest thing from a gardener but i totally want this book lol! She looks so great here, and who knows, the book might inspire me to try and garden. Can't decide if i should get a hard copy of the book or seek the digital copy when it becomes available.
I just cannot wait to buy this fabulous book. We are blessed with such a family in the Whitehouse.
A great gift to myself and others--wishing it arrived this upcoming holiday season.
Bless your soul Mrs.O. I have also started my "healthy movement" yesterday. I hope i can keep moving. The gym was amazing last evening, and i burned lots of calories. Thank you Mrs.O for your inspiration. For all those out there dreading to visit a gym facility, i truly recommend. :) Now, it is time to reform my eating habits. LOL