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

In 2009, first lady Michelle Obama had a big idea. Motivated by her desire to help all children become healthier, she envisioned an enormous kitchen garden on the White House grounds. Though there had been other gardens at the White House, her envisioned garden would be large enough to feed everyone in the White House and guests and would grow enough produce to share with people in need.

Michelle had never developed a garden, so she knew she needed the help of others to make her dream a reality. She asked White House chefs and gardeners for advice and invited local students to join the project to learn and work along with her.  

After much work and patience, the garden was a huge success! But its impact didn’t stop at the White House and vicinity. Author Sharee Miller notes that Michelle’s vision for the White House garden inspired families, community centers, and schools to build gardens of their own. Miller concludes, “Now each seed sprouts new hope and brings us closer to growing a healthier future for kids just like you.” 

Sharee Miller’s striking, energetic illustrations and optimistic, joyful narrative make this instructive picture book a welcome mat for children and their parents to grow a garden of their own. When sharing this book with children, Christian parents and caregivers have the opportunity to tell them about the awesome, humbling reality that God sends the rain and sunshine, allows seeds to germinate, and gives the harvest.

(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)