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First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew
The White House kitchen garden, part of Michelle Obama’s campaign to encourage healthful eating, was established in 2009. This book tells the story of Mrs. Obama’s garden, as well as the story of the White House grounds, the other gardens (including Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden in World War II) that came before, the White House children who have played there, and the teamwork, involving local children as well as the Obama family and White House staff, that led to the garden now flourishing on the South Lawn. This is a lighthearted, entertaining, and lavishly illustrated introduction to an inspiring and much-publicized project. Includes recipes.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 10, 2011
There is quite a bit to be found in First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew. I was very entertained while learning about the White House and its gardening history. I think children will relate to this book very easily. Children play a large part in this story of Mrs. Obama's idea of a garden for the grounds. They help with cultivating, planting, harvesting, and tasting the bounty of the First Garden. There is also a section sure to please young readers that features children of the White House and things they did there on its lawns/gardens.
There is a forward by Alice Waters, the founder of the Edible Schoolyard Program. Something I wish existed when I was in school! The history of some of the presidents and their gardens is very interesting. I found it fascinating that these gardens were not kept up.
I appreciate that the book included a section on showing that it doesn't take a White House lawn to make a kitchen garden. The book provides steps to aid in a successful garden. I also appreciated that it provided small steps for making a healthier you. Like buying local, or adding more fruits and veggies to your meals. I did think instead of the tip to "Eat out less often" maybe they could have said something like "Eat at restaurants that serve organic & local." This book also listed benefits and reasons to garden. Although a wonderful idea to include recipes, I wasn't a big fan of this section of the book. I made one of the recipes, the baked sliced apples, because I had apples I needed to use. The recipe was okay and I wouldn't make it again. Another example, is a recipe for creamy salsa dip that calls for 1 jar of salsa. The White House garden is an organic garden so I would expect to see the word "organic" somewhere if not next to the ingredient. Perhaps at the beginning of the section to suggest to use organic ingredients.
Looking at the book, it screamed White House with the majority of the book a crisp white. Robbin Gourley did a great job on the illustrations. It was also fun to see the picture at the back of the book with all the people involved with the garden.
There is a forward by Alice Waters, the founder of the Edible Schoolyard Program. Something I wish existed when I was in school! The history of some of the presidents and their gardens is very interesting. I found it fascinating that these gardens were not kept up.
I appreciate that the book included a section on showing that it doesn't take a White House lawn to make a kitchen garden. The book provides steps to aid in a successful garden. I also appreciated that it provided small steps for making a healthier you. Like buying local, or adding more fruits and veggies to your meals. I did think instead of the tip to "Eat out less often" maybe they could have said something like "Eat at restaurants that serve organic & local." This book also listed benefits and reasons to garden. Although a wonderful idea to include recipes, I wasn't a big fan of this section of the book. I made one of the recipes, the baked sliced apples, because I had apples I needed to use. The recipe was okay and I wouldn't make it again. Another example, is a recipe for creamy salsa dip that calls for 1 jar of salsa. The White House garden is an organic garden so I would expect to see the word "organic" somewhere if not next to the ingredient. Perhaps at the beginning of the section to suggest to use organic ingredients.
Looking at the book, it screamed White House with the majority of the book a crisp white. Robbin Gourley did a great job on the illustrations. It was also fun to see the picture at the back of the book with all the people involved with the garden.
November 5, 2018
We plan to try a few of these recipes in the back.
September 22, 2018
This lovely book provides a brief history of the White House and what has taken place throughout history on its lawns and in its gardens. For example, Jefferson grazed cattle on the South Lawn. Almost 200 years later, Amy Carter, daughter of Jimmy Carter, had slumber parties in her tree house on the South Lawn. In between, Woodrow Wilson grazed sheep on the lawn.
More than one first family has set up a garden on the White House grounds. This book focuses on the garden started by Michelle Obama in 2009. The author explains:
“As First Lady and as a mom, Mrs. Obama was concerned about the health of the American people. She believed we should think about what we eat and where our food comes from. And she wanted her family - all families - to become healthier by eating more vegetables and fruits and by eating meals together at the table.”
The author goes into detail about how Mrs. Obama set about putting in the garden with the help of fifth-grade students from a local elementary school. Some of the seeds came from plants first grown by Jefferson in his garden in Monticello. A beekeeper also installed a beehive nearby to provide a home for bees to pollinate the plants and make honey for the White House.
The author reports that it took only six weeks for the First Garden to start producing food ready to be harvested. Soon both salads and desserts were being made with fresh ingredients from the White House garden. Other produce from the garden went to Miriam’s Kitchen, a D.C. organization that helps to feed the homeless.
The author ends with a list of “Good Reasons to Garden” and a number of kid-friendly recipes that were distributed by the White House for dishes made from fresh fruits and vegetables. A list of further resources (including websites) is appended.
The author, who has written two cookbooks, is also the illustrator. She has created lovely watercolors that contrast the different green shades in the garden with the rich colors of vegetables.
Evaluation: Although a new presidential administration has replaced the Obamas in the White House, this book still has much to offer. It will educate young readers, who may be surprised that presidents and first ladies have grown their own food! As a latent benefit, it will teach children that bees are more than just insects to run away from. And it may also inspire them to start their own gardens.
Rating: 3.5/5
More than one first family has set up a garden on the White House grounds. This book focuses on the garden started by Michelle Obama in 2009. The author explains:
“As First Lady and as a mom, Mrs. Obama was concerned about the health of the American people. She believed we should think about what we eat and where our food comes from. And she wanted her family - all families - to become healthier by eating more vegetables and fruits and by eating meals together at the table.”
The author goes into detail about how Mrs. Obama set about putting in the garden with the help of fifth-grade students from a local elementary school. Some of the seeds came from plants first grown by Jefferson in his garden in Monticello. A beekeeper also installed a beehive nearby to provide a home for bees to pollinate the plants and make honey for the White House.
The author reports that it took only six weeks for the First Garden to start producing food ready to be harvested. Soon both salads and desserts were being made with fresh ingredients from the White House garden. Other produce from the garden went to Miriam’s Kitchen, a D.C. organization that helps to feed the homeless.
The author ends with a list of “Good Reasons to Garden” and a number of kid-friendly recipes that were distributed by the White House for dishes made from fresh fruits and vegetables. A list of further resources (including websites) is appended.
The author, who has written two cookbooks, is also the illustrator. She has created lovely watercolors that contrast the different green shades in the garden with the rich colors of vegetables.
Evaluation: Although a new presidential administration has replaced the Obamas in the White House, this book still has much to offer. It will educate young readers, who may be surprised that presidents and first ladies have grown their own food! As a latent benefit, it will teach children that bees are more than just insects to run away from. And it may also inspire them to start their own gardens.
Rating: 3.5/5
May 24, 2011
I love tiny pictures of vegetables and fruits and the ones in this book are great. I suppose I enjoyed all the illustrations, even though the people did not look like the people they’re depicting. There is a wonderful photograph on the back cover of the book of people who participated in the planting & harvesting of the garden and the preparation & consuming of the food from it.
There are a bunch of recipes in the back of the book. The garden is a vegetable and fruit, and okay, honey too, garden, but not one single recipe is vegan. Very disappointing for me.
There are wonderful additional lists of resources in the back of the book: Books About U.S. Presidents, the White House – and Bo; Websites About the White House; Books About Gardens and Gardening for Young Readers; Websites About Gardening; Websites About Local Agriculture.
The book works wonderfully as a history of the White House, especially its gardens and its child residents, but also bits of information about some of the U.S. presidents, and also as a book about sustainable and organic home gardens, and educational re eating healthfully and as families for sit down meals, etc. etc. I found Michelle Obama’s idea and fruition for the current White House garden very inspiring, how she had local schoolchildren help, how some of the produce goes to the homeless and some to the First Family and some for official State Dinners and other events, etc.
The book is packed with information, recounted in an entertaining and educational way.
Before reading this book, I hadn’t known that Obama doesn’t like beets. I appreciated the dab of humor eventually added into the book re that fact.
There are a bunch of recipes in the back of the book. The garden is a vegetable and fruit, and okay, honey too, garden, but not one single recipe is vegan. Very disappointing for me.
There are wonderful additional lists of resources in the back of the book: Books About U.S. Presidents, the White House – and Bo; Websites About the White House; Books About Gardens and Gardening for Young Readers; Websites About Gardening; Websites About Local Agriculture.
The book works wonderfully as a history of the White House, especially its gardens and its child residents, but also bits of information about some of the U.S. presidents, and also as a book about sustainable and organic home gardens, and educational re eating healthfully and as families for sit down meals, etc. etc. I found Michelle Obama’s idea and fruition for the current White House garden very inspiring, how she had local schoolchildren help, how some of the produce goes to the homeless and some to the First Family and some for official State Dinners and other events, etc.
The book is packed with information, recounted in an entertaining and educational way.
Before reading this book, I hadn’t known that Obama doesn’t like beets. I appreciated the dab of humor eventually added into the book re that fact.
October 30, 2017
I miss the days when the White House was occupied by a family that saw the importance of bringing communities together. Reading this in 2017 just made me sad for what used to be when the Obamas lived in the White House.
October 8, 2020
This book takes us through the history of the south lawn of the Whitehouse. It shows us how many presidents have had a garden in the Whitehouse, and even some farm animals. It then shows us then First lady, Michelle Obama, growing a garden of her own to feed her family and guests at the Whitehouse. It shows how a local elementary school, several chefs, Whitehouse workers, and donations kept this project afloat. It then also has recipes in the back that the Whitehouse released!
I love gardening! It's one of my favorite things, I always get excited to watch plants grow in my backyard. I also love the message of the book, eat better foods and garden. I didn't even know Michelle Obama had a garden while living there. I loved the illustrations and the whole concept of a white house garden.
I would 100% use this in my classroom. I think it would be fun to have a classroom garden if my school allows it. If not, maybe I can inspire some kids to garden by reading this to them and showing them pictures of my garden. It's also a cute and sweet history lesson about the Whitehouse.
I love gardening! It's one of my favorite things, I always get excited to watch plants grow in my backyard. I also love the message of the book, eat better foods and garden. I didn't even know Michelle Obama had a garden while living there. I loved the illustrations and the whole concept of a white house garden.
I would 100% use this in my classroom. I think it would be fun to have a classroom garden if my school allows it. If not, maybe I can inspire some kids to garden by reading this to them and showing them pictures of my garden. It's also a cute and sweet history lesson about the Whitehouse.
March 21, 2019
This story is a nonfiction children's book all about The White House and the additions each president made when moving in. The specific addition this book focuses on is The First Garden and how it came to be. I really enjoyed this book and the intel it gave. This book even included healthy recipes that involve the things you have planted in your garden.
I would use this book without a doubt in my classroom and I would use it for history class. I would read the book to my students and we would create a timeline of what and when things were added to The White House. Once we had gone through the organization part we would start a garden of our own; we might start with little cup plants and then expand to outside the classroom.
I would use this book without a doubt in my classroom and I would use it for history class. I would read the book to my students and we would create a timeline of what and when things were added to The White House. Once we had gone through the organization part we would start a garden of our own; we might start with little cup plants and then expand to outside the classroom.
September 15, 2017
Non-fiction
The time of George Washington was the beginning of the White House being constructed. President after President, the White House was added on to. Today the famous house has one hundred and thirty-two rooms, this includes the offices in the two wings. There is also thirty-five bathrooms, eleven bedrooms, two kitchens, three dining rooms, one library, one bowling alley, and a movie theater! Phew! That is a big house! But what about the outside?
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed reading it because of the history the story gave about the inside and the outside White House. I did not know the history until I read this book.
I would use this in the classroom by reading it on Presidents' Day. I could also use this book to give to a student who loves Presidents and their history.
The time of George Washington was the beginning of the White House being constructed. President after President, the White House was added on to. Today the famous house has one hundred and thirty-two rooms, this includes the offices in the two wings. There is also thirty-five bathrooms, eleven bedrooms, two kitchens, three dining rooms, one library, one bowling alley, and a movie theater! Phew! That is a big house! But what about the outside?
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed reading it because of the history the story gave about the inside and the outside White House. I did not know the history until I read this book.
I would use this in the classroom by reading it on Presidents' Day. I could also use this book to give to a student who loves Presidents and their history.
February 5, 2025
This is a marvelous picture book detailing not only the garden from the Obama administration which garnered such attention, but the history of growing food at the White house with a focus on stewardship and personal industry. It includes details and quotes which draw the reader in. Lively watercolor illustrations add to the organic subject matter. Tons of recipes straight from the President's kitchen as well as basic how-tos for inspiring kids to get back to their (literal) roots round out this overlooked gem.
February 18, 2021
An informative read about the evolution of the White House garden and those who contributed to it over our nation’s history. The afterward includes several recipes that were used to feed the Obama family during their time in the nations house. This would be a wonderful book to share with your kiddos before planting a home or school garden.
March 3, 2021
Informative, interesting, and great back matter! Highly recommend as a nonfiction picture book for families interested in food, gardening, and US history.
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March 16, 2021This book was so informative about the White House property and what the Obamas did with a part of the property and what happened with the garden.
September 1, 2023
This is an enjoyable look at the history of the White House gardens and how Michelle Obama planned and created a successful garden. Back matter includes recipes, further reading, and websites.
March 19, 2017
Illustrations were't great, struggled to be narrative nonfiction without being too didactic (didn't land gracefully), and the recipes at the end seemed like an afterthought (a dip recipe with 2 ingredients: a can of salsa & cream cheese - ??? how does that relate to making fresh food from a garden?). Did like that prominent shout out to students from 2 DCPS schools (they're pictured on the back cover), so how very local value, but not beyond that.
October 19, 2012
The title of this book is, First Garden: The White House Garden and How it Grew. The author and illustrator of this book is, Robbin Gourley. The book was published by, Clarion Books a division of Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company in New York, NY, in 2011. This book is non-fiction, and has 48 pages. As a special feature, this book contains six pages of recipes for families to make and eat. This hardback edition cost, $16.99. The ISBN is, 978-0-547-48224-8.
First Garden: The White House Garden and How it Grew tells the story about the past and present White House gardens. This book opens with information about the White House’s creation, design and uses. First Garden also talks about the many children that have lived at the White House. The main portion of this book talks about the grounds of the White House and about the kitchen garden that Mrs. Obama planted on the south lawn.
The author, Robbin Gourley, talks about the White House and presidents without delving into politics. Instead, she speaks about the presidents as they relate to the White House grounds and its uses. This helps to keep the book accessible and acceptable for most people. I really enjoyed the history about previous first families. This makes the first families seem more relatable and “normal”. The lively, colorful illustrations make this book visually stimulating as well.
This book would make an excellent read aloud or project book in a classroom. Teachers could use this book for President’s Day. Teachers could also use this book to discuss sustainable gardening and wholesome eating. This could lead to a classroom garden on a small (indoor container) or large (outdoor garden) scale. Parents could use this book in a similar way to discuss presidents or ecology.
Robbin Gourley speaks about what she knows in this book. She grew up with farmers in her family. She’s also written two cookbooks. Her love of gardening, sustainability and food translates into a very readable non-fiction book.
First Garden: The White House Garden and How it Grew tells the story about the past and present White House gardens. This book opens with information about the White House’s creation, design and uses. First Garden also talks about the many children that have lived at the White House. The main portion of this book talks about the grounds of the White House and about the kitchen garden that Mrs. Obama planted on the south lawn.
The author, Robbin Gourley, talks about the White House and presidents without delving into politics. Instead, she speaks about the presidents as they relate to the White House grounds and its uses. This helps to keep the book accessible and acceptable for most people. I really enjoyed the history about previous first families. This makes the first families seem more relatable and “normal”. The lively, colorful illustrations make this book visually stimulating as well.
This book would make an excellent read aloud or project book in a classroom. Teachers could use this book for President’s Day. Teachers could also use this book to discuss sustainable gardening and wholesome eating. This could lead to a classroom garden on a small (indoor container) or large (outdoor garden) scale. Parents could use this book in a similar way to discuss presidents or ecology.
Robbin Gourley speaks about what she knows in this book. She grew up with farmers in her family. She’s also written two cookbooks. Her love of gardening, sustainability and food translates into a very readable non-fiction book.
February 13, 2017
I enjoyed this look into gardening at the White House. Gourley begins by describing the various gardens and special areas surrounding the White House, and talking about some of the Presidential children and what they have done on the White House lawn. Then she focused on the Obamas, specifically First Lady Michelle, who decided to resurrect the idea of a kitchen garden on the White House lawn. There had not been a real vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt's time. Mrs. Obama invited a fifth grade class to help her dig the garden and plant the seeds. She made everyone, even the President himself, weed it! Finally, Gourley describes how the White House chefs made many delicious dishes from their home-grown vegetables. What a wonderful example Mrs. Obama set! The rest of the book talks about how readers of the book can plant their own gardens, why home-grown food is important, and, lastly, provides some yummy recipes to use with fruits and vegetables. The baked eggs had my mouth watering!! I've got to write that recipe down. This would be a fantastic book to pair with Katie Smith Milway's The Good Garden: How One Family Went From Hunger to Having Enough and DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan's City Green. Maybe I'll plant something next spring...
July 11, 2011
If you're looking for a book to introduce children to the world of gardening, this book may be just what you need. Robbin Gourley follows Michelle Obama's quest to create a garden at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew. Before readers learn about Mrs. Obama's garden initiative, the author outlines the history of gardening at the White House beginning with John Adam's garden in 1800. Numerous presidents and first families tended gardens including Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Eleanor Roosevelt planted a victory garden during World War II, although young readers will need some explanation of victory gardens because a definition is not provided. Most of the watercolor illustrations complement the story nicely, however a few illustrations of people are awkward. After a brief history of White House gardens, the story returns to Mrs. Obama as she enlists the help of local school children and chefs to prepare meals made with vegetables from the White House garden. Colorful illustrations of vegetables and herbs adorn recipes in the back of the book along with a list of reasons to garden. Children will enjoy learning about the history of Presidential gardens while gaining an understanding of the importance of fresh, locally grown food.
July 31, 2011
This inspiring picture book is sprinkled with history as well as ecology and would be a perfect introduction to gardening. For those who think this was the first time the White House's pristine lawns have been used for a garden, the author provides several examples of Presidents who had cows and sheep grazing on the lawn as well as Presidential quotes about gardening. I loved how the garden provides food for the White House as well as for others, and how school children learned how to plant the seeds for the garden. The whole idea of being self-sustaining is powerful, and the photograph of the White House staff, the First Lady, and the children proudly displaying the fruits of their labor brought a smile to my face. A bonus is the inclusion of recipes promising some great meals to try out. This title will surely inspire other schools and communities to start their own gardens. The watercolor illustrations pay tribute to the good green earth and those yummy fruits and veggies.
November 19, 2012
I truly do not think any child would care that Michelle Obama planted a garden at the White House. However, good nonfiction picture books MAKE an otherwise bland subject matter interesting to children. The brief historical ancedotes about previous White House gardens and livestock were this book's only redeeming quality. It could have sprinkled in some more fun White House facts the grab kids a bit more. The White House is an awe-inpsiring, singular place with so much interesting history. Instead, it sprinkled in didacticism about why it is important to buy local and why we should all eat less refined foods. It also provides White House garden recipes at the end. Adults may like this, but I just can't see students excited to make these recipes after such a "vanilla" book. Used correctly in the classroom, the book might work. Not an independent read that children would readily enjoy. Going to "drop".
November 10, 2016
The First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew is a very cool book! I really enjoyed learning about the garden at the White House that First Lady Michelle Obama started. This book gives the history of the grounds at the White House and what types of animals and plants have lived there. I thought it was neat how Michelle Obama invited school children from Washington, D.C. to help plant the garden. The garden did extremely well and helped feed President Obama's family and guests. This garden is expected to continue on as a legacy. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama also helped start a community garden to harvest vegetables for the homeless in D.C. This will help encourage healthy living for generations to come.
I really enjoyed reading this book! I did not realize that a First Garden was planted. What a neat idea! The illustrations are also very accurate and cool. I believe this could be used in a classroom to discuss American History, Health, and Nutrition.
I really enjoyed reading this book! I did not realize that a First Garden was planted. What a neat idea! The illustrations are also very accurate and cool. I believe this could be used in a classroom to discuss American History, Health, and Nutrition.
August 11, 2016
In 2009, Michelle Obama initiated the First Garden project. Her goal was to encourage healthful eating so the White House kitchen garden was born. With the help of a class of twenty-three 5th graders and other White House staff, the garden was planted and harvested and now produces more than a thousand pounds of food and one hundred and thirty-four pounds of honey. Interspersed throughout the story is a brief history of the White House gardens and grounds. Also included at the end are some favorite White House recipes.
This was a very interesting book that had a good mixture of historical and current information. The watercolor illustrations add good visual interest to the story. Overall I think it was a political/green book with an encouraging message to become more self-sufficient and healthy.
This was a very interesting book that had a good mixture of historical and current information. The watercolor illustrations add good visual interest to the story. Overall I think it was a political/green book with an encouraging message to become more self-sufficient and healthy.
September 8, 2016
First Garden by Robbin Gourley was a fun, nonfiction book about the vegeatable garden Michelle Obama planted at the White House. It also talks about some other fun facts that have to do with the White House. It talks about how first children have had fun living there, what other presidents' wives grew gardens, and the White House itself.
This was an interesting book that I enjoyed reading. I learned a lot about the White House and the first families who have lived there. The pictures by Gourley were also really pretty.
This would be a fun book to read in a classroom. You could use it to talk about the presidents and gardening. The book gives reasons on why gardening is important, and that could open up a really important discussion in class. It also has lots of recipes in the back which could be fun to try in the classroom!
This was an interesting book that I enjoyed reading. I learned a lot about the White House and the first families who have lived there. The pictures by Gourley were also really pretty.
This would be a fun book to read in a classroom. You could use it to talk about the presidents and gardening. The book gives reasons on why gardening is important, and that could open up a really important discussion in class. It also has lots of recipes in the back which could be fun to try in the classroom!
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June 22, 2012Audience:Children who are interested in gardening, healthy eating, cooking with fresh produce, the president's family, or the children of presidents. Teachers can use it for lessons on healthy eating, where food comes from, and the first family.
Appeal: This fully illustrated book about Michelle Obama's garden on the south lawn of the White House is filled with facts about past first families and presidents, gardening, and Mrs. Obama's mission to fight childhood obesity. For more information on the topic see Michelle Obama's book American Grown.
California Reading Association's Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award-2012
Appeal: This fully illustrated book about Michelle Obama's garden on the south lawn of the White House is filled with facts about past first families and presidents, gardening, and Mrs. Obama's mission to fight childhood obesity. For more information on the topic see Michelle Obama's book American Grown.
California Reading Association's Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award-2012
August 27, 2011
I've often wondered if authors who pick interesting topics that haven't been written about before somehow have an unfair advantage. After all, if the story is unfamiliar and dazzling, won't I automatically like the book?
First Garden: The White House Garden and How it Grew served to ensure that this advantage was not guaranteed. The narrative is dry and much of it actually covers the same ground as "So You Want to be President?" The watercolors are nice, but I honestly didn't think it was possible to make Eleanor Roosevelt even MORE homely looking.
First Garden: The White House Garden and How it Grew served to ensure that this advantage was not guaranteed. The narrative is dry and much of it actually covers the same ground as "So You Want to be President?" The watercolors are nice, but I honestly didn't think it was possible to make Eleanor Roosevelt even MORE homely looking.
March 17, 2012
Robbin Gourley does a beautiful job describing the White House garden. Her clear narrative describes how Michelle Obama and a team of dedicated people created the garden. Several pages also describe the history of the White House and those who lived there. And finally, the book includes a few healthy and yummy sounding recipes. This book is a bit long for K - 3 but will make a lovely addition to school library collections. Pair it with other White House and presidential books, gardening themed stories, or multigenre texts.
March 4, 2013
Gardens have been a part of the White House grounds since John Adams moved into building. and their emphasis has depended on the personality of the First Family, whether the goal be recreational or beautification. Given Mrs. Obama's concern for the nutrition and health of children, her focus has been on a kitchen garden with vegetables, fruits and herbs. Watercolor illustrations and a comfortably informative text are followed by recipes and resources. Nice addition to any collection which wants to encourage gardening1
August 28, 2015
This was an interesting book. Though it felt like a bit of P.R. for the Obama First Garden on its surface, it was also a good piece of nonfiction on the White House gardens' history and on backyard gardening in general. I liked the book quite a bit. The last eight pages include an extensive collection of recipes as well as reasons to garden and the typical nonfiction book source notes, but the first 25 pages are all about the garden and the green space around the White House. Good read.
September 3, 2011
The First Garden project, began by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009, is not the first garden at the White House. This book describes the history of White House gardens and the story behind the First Garden project. A great introduction to gardening and the importance of healthy eating. Several pages of recipes and a bibliography of books about White House families are included in the back.
September 5, 2011
Yeah, this book was about a billion times better then I expected.
Strike 1-gardening,
strike 2-The White House (just not that interested).
So, with the count 0-2 Robbin Gourley was able to smack a double to deep left-center field with a very informative and interesting book. LOVED THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID "NO BEETS?"
Strike 1-gardening,
strike 2-The White House (just not that interested).
So, with the count 0-2 Robbin Gourley was able to smack a double to deep left-center field with a very informative and interesting book. LOVED THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID "NO BEETS?"
January 9, 2013
Another PA Reads K-3 book. I liked it more than I thought. I don't usually love kids' nonfiction (or grownup nonfiction for that matter). But I actually learned some things about the White House I didn't know. Also, the 6 year old boy in the house repeatedly said that he thought it was very interesting.
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