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beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a book about politics. I just want to clear that up off the bat. Just because I'm reviewing and praising a book written by Michelle Obama does not mean I'm using my blog to endorse any sort of political platform.
Then again, in a way, maybe I am. I think Michelle Obama's message and mission for making healthy food more accessible to all Americans is a necessary one. Obesity and the afflictions that accompany it like type 2 diabetes and heart disease are running rampant through our nation. So much of that has to do with the food we are putting in our bodies. In many underprivileged communities throughout the country, residents don't have access to fresh produce and even if they do, many assume they can't afford it. So they rely on the convenience foods and fast food restaurants that seem to permeate underprivileged neighborhoods to sustain their diets.
So Michelle Obama began her mission to make a healthier nation very simply: by planting a garden on the White House's South Lawn. You might wonder how a simple garden can change a nation's eating habits, but with some seeds and some dirt, she was able to start a conversation. Students and organizations came to volunteer in the garden and kids started to show curiosity about the food coming out of the ground that they were helping to plant and harvest. My biggest takeaway from this book was the need for a sense of ownership in knowing where your food comes from. Kids are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they are helping to see them grow and flourish.
Read the rest of my review here
Then again, in a way, maybe I am. I think Michelle Obama's message and mission for making healthy food more accessible to all Americans is a necessary one. Obesity and the afflictions that accompany it like type 2 diabetes and heart disease are running rampant through our nation. So much of that has to do with the food we are putting in our bodies. In many underprivileged communities throughout the country, residents don't have access to fresh produce and even if they do, many assume they can't afford it. So they rely on the convenience foods and fast food restaurants that seem to permeate underprivileged neighborhoods to sustain their diets.
So Michelle Obama began her mission to make a healthier nation very simply: by planting a garden on the White House's South Lawn. You might wonder how a simple garden can change a nation's eating habits, but with some seeds and some dirt, she was able to start a conversation. Students and organizations came to volunteer in the garden and kids started to show curiosity about the food coming out of the ground that they were helping to plant and harvest. My biggest takeaway from this book was the need for a sense of ownership in knowing where your food comes from. Kids are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they are helping to see them grow and flourish.
Read the rest of my review here
imbricata's review against another edition
4.0
My main critique with this book, which talks a lot about how poorly our kids eat and the health problems that follow, is that it omits one of the most significant reasons American children eat so badly: the overwhelming success of junk food and other companies marketing it to them. I've read so many books lately that seem to lay the responsibility on the parents not preparing healthy meals without mentioning that those same parents are up against companies that spend billions of dollars to encourage their children to do otherwise. This has been a theme with a lot of foodie books that I've read lately, and it's begun to really frustrate me. I can understand that Michelle Obama was probably looking to avoid losing the message of the book under what would certainly be corporate backlash if she went more in depth about their role in the crisis. Still, I can't help but be disappointed that this very important factor is not discussed.
ekimball's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
thatokiebird's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5
I both listened to the audiobook version and read along the physical book, since it is very photo-centered. It's mainly narrated by Michelle Obama, along with a full cast of the little experts and interviews sprinkled throughout.
It's very uplifting, the full story of the White House garden. How it came about, the day-to-day of upkeep, inviting local schools to participate in planting and harvests. The photos in the book are beautiful and plenty, and I particularly liked the illustrations mapping out what was planted and where for each season.
It's very uplifting, the full story of the White House garden. How it came about, the day-to-day of upkeep, inviting local schools to participate in planting and harvests. The photos in the book are beautiful and plenty, and I particularly liked the illustrations mapping out what was planted and where for each season.
dianashadel's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the beginning because it had more of Michelle's voice, it was nice reading about an inexperienced gardener beginning their journey. I also was impressed by the non-political tone, it was super charming. But about halfway through the author changed to agriculture experts, which was nice in an educational way but I was hoping for something to inspire me to garden more this year rather than a commentary on how to leverage your garden to be a community gathering place for education on political topics that influence the farming industry and agriculture consumers. That is important too... but not what I was looking for.
bookishbel's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.75
manadabomb's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up from the library knowing it wasn't anything but some fun reading. I'm trying really hard to gear up for gardening this year and figured a book about the White House garden would spur me in the right direction.
Obama is a charming writer. Her enthusiasm for what she is writing about comes through. She is very clearly happy about the garden and what it is teaching everyone who comes and volunteers to tend it. They invite hordes of schoolchildren to help out and celebrities come as well.
Since getting involved in my CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) I've been really desiring fresh food. I've not been successful with growing but this book did give some pretty good tips on gardening. Got to say too....the fact that they also keep bees at the White House for honey makes me so happy! That's another thing on my list of hobbies I'm researching.
This is not a political book, just a fun overview of the White House garden and the Let's Move project.
Obama is a charming writer. Her enthusiasm for what she is writing about comes through. She is very clearly happy about the garden and what it is teaching everyone who comes and volunteers to tend it. They invite hordes of schoolchildren to help out and celebrities come as well.
Since getting involved in my CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) I've been really desiring fresh food. I've not been successful with growing but this book did give some pretty good tips on gardening. Got to say too....the fact that they also keep bees at the White House for honey makes me so happy! That's another thing on my list of hobbies I'm researching.
This is not a political book, just a fun overview of the White House garden and the Let's Move project.