Play Audiobook Sample
American Grown (Abridged): The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.06) - 510 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
In April 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama planted a kitchen garden on the White House’s South Lawn. As fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs sprouted from the ground, this White House Kitchen Garden inspired a new conversation all across the country about the food we feed our families and the impact it has on the health and well-being of our children. Now, in her first-ever book, American Grown, Mrs. Obama invites you inside the White House Kitchen Garden and shares its inspiring story, from the first planting to the latest harvest. Hear about her worries as a novice gardener – would the new plants even grow? Learn about her struggles and her joys as lettuce, corn, tomatoes, collards and kale, sweet potatoes and rhubarb flourished in the freshly tilled soil. Get an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at every season of the garden’s growth, with striking original photographs that bring its story to life. Try the unique recipes created by White House chefs and made with ingredients just picked from the White House garden. And learn from the White House Garden team about how you can help plant your own backyard, school or community garden. Mrs. Obama’s journey continues across the nation as she shares the stories of other gardens that have moved and inspired her: Houston office workers who make the sidewalk bloom; a New York City School that created a scented garden for the visually impaired; a North Carolina garden that devotes its entire harvest to those in need; and other stories of communities that are transforming the lives and health of their citizens. In American Grown, Mrs. Obama tells the story of the White House Kitchen Garden, celebrates the bounty of gardens across our nation, and reminds us all of what we can grow together.
Download and start listening now!
"I didn't expect this book to be so inspiring. I liked learning about the history of gardens in the White House and the profiles of community gardens across the country was a big bonus. I was happy to see a profile of the original Picardo P-Patch community garden in Seattle. One of my friends used to garden there. I was a little suprised about the section devoted to Michelle Obama's Childhood Obesity program, but the garden was inspired to encourage young people to make healthy food choices. The recipes in this book were also a bonus. It's one of the few "eat local food books" that invites vegetarians to the table. Who doesn't want more vegetable inspiration? Most of the recipes are vegan friendly since they focus on vegetables and most of those that aren't can be made vegetarian or vegan. I'm not sure the high fat desserts fit into a childhood obesity program (1 cup of butter in a recipe is a lot!) , but I was intrigued enough to make the White Chocolate Cherry Cookies. I wasn't disappointed."
— Debra (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Charming and thought-provoking…American Grown is a warm and personable record of [Michelle Obama’s] very public garden’s changing seasons.”
— New York Times Book Review
Awards
-
A 2013 Audie Award Finalist for Audiobook of the Year
-
A #1 New York Times bestseller
American Grown Listener Reviews
-
" A good quick read -- with a few entangled purposes. First the description of the White House Garden, then good interludes on everything from bee keeping to proper selection and storage of "seasonally appropriate" (or seasonally available) veggies from the White House chefs. And finally aspects on battling childhood obesity by looking at historical trends, dietary (school breakfast/lunch) trends, and "get active" programs. I liked the overarching organization by the seasons. It was inspiring to get out and do more gardening and farmer's market shopping -- never a bad thing! "
— Matt, 2/14/2014 -
" Very cool book! "
— Debbie, 2/10/2014 -
" The book was good, but it turns out the I personally am more interested in how they use the food than how they grow it. So I was not that interested in the gardening tips. I tried a couple of the recipes they provided in the back, but neither turned out very well. I most enjoyed that section that talked about Mrs. Obama's Let's Move initiative. "
— Marianne, 2/10/2014 -
" I actually admire Michelle Obama for her fight against child obesity. This is a serious issue in our country and one we can't ignore. This book tells the story of the White House Kitchen Garden she started as a symbol of healthy eating, and it also tells the story of other community and school gardens across the country. There were some basic gardening tips for the novice gardener (which I am) as well as some recipes at the end. "
— Candice, 2/10/2014 -
" Borrowed from the library. Very lovely pictorial presentation of the White House garden, its history and current developments. Fits particularly well into my "terraforming" my yard into an organic mixed plant-fruit-berry-veggie garden. No more grass! I particularly enjoyed how each season was represented. The recipes are good. I made rhubarb-strawberrry pie after finishing the book. I also ordered copies for myself and my son. It's a keeper! Profits from this book go to the Parks! "
— Irene, 2/3/2014 -
" So I just really checked this book out to see what her thoughts on the whole gardening thing was. Let me just say I was so not diappointed this book was fabulous. THe picstures and recipes where so beautiful, They were just lovely . The book was full of white house history and gardens around our country, It was perfect . Just WOW. "
— San, 1/30/2014 -
" Very enjoyable for anyone who has an interest in gardening and local food movements and healthy food initiatives. "
— Elizabeth, 1/28/2014 -
" I loved mixing two of my favorite subjects, politics and the environment in one book. It was well done and useful, not just pontifications. "
— Deborah, 1/19/2014 -
" Bright and inspiring. "
— Duxcaelo, 12/16/2013 -
" Great illustrations, some good information. Mostly an "inspiration" book. I wish there had been more how-to's. "
— Kimberly, 11/28/2013 -
" This is a fantastic read and I especially enjoyed the anecdotes about past gardening efforts at the White House. There were also a few recipes, which was a surprise. "
— Tricia, 7/17/2013 -
" This is a charming book about the garden at the White House and about the history of gardening and landscaping at the President's home complete with recipes from the White House chefs. It was easy to read with beautiful pictures of the development of the garden by seasons. "
— Meg, 7/11/2013 -
" This book has a variety of information about gardening, plotting, the Obama administration and American history. Although not in depth on any particularly topic, it is great light reading book. "
— Tina, 1/12/2013 -
" I liked that Michelle seems genuinely interested in this cause. I have been on a waiting list at my library, so it must still be popular. It was well done, even if it was ghost written, it conveys a genuine concern. "
— Elena, 1/10/2013 -
" This is a great book about Mrs. Michelle Obama transforming part of the White House lawn into a garden. The garden helps the community by inviting others to partipate and partake in the bounty. "
— Jill, 12/28/2012 -
" A book with beautiful photographs, good receipes, tips for a home garden, and stories of the White House kitchen garden and others around the country. Have even more admiration for Michelle Obama who chooses to put her energy into things that really matter. "
— Roberta, 11/14/2012 -
" First Lady Michelle Obama is so awesome. Let's grow stuff! "
— Leah, 11/13/2012 -
" I love the FLOTUS! Just say YES to gardening, healthier eating and getting active to improve fitness. The obesity epidemic is a national tragedy. Thank you, Michelle, for your efforts to improve the health of our nation's children. "
— Karla, 9/14/2012 -
" I really liked this book, very inspiring to garden year round and eat healthy in general. I would have liked to see more recipes, but perhaps the First Lady can write another book with them. "
— Katie, 9/10/2012 -
" This is a fun book. I love the beautiful photos, Bo looks so happy in the garden. "
— Stephenie, 8/29/2012 -
" i liked this book - it was hopeful and informational and pretty. i like it when you see good examples coming out of our Nation's representatives. Long live the Victory/ White House/ and Monticello's gardens!! "
— Rachael, 7/16/2012 -
" I loved all the stories about community gardens and community programs. Very inspiring!!! "
— Bkh4, 7/7/2012 -
" I love love loved this book! It was so inspiring and educating. Full of gardening tips, recipes and motivation. I've always loved eating my veggies but I'm definitely going to change some eating habits in this new year! "
— Eileen, 5/29/2012
About Michelle Obama
Michelle Robinson Obama served as First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, she started her career as an attorney at the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met her future husband, Barack Obama. She later worked in the Chicago mayor’s office, at the University of Chicago, and at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She also founded the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an organization that prepares young people for careers in public service. The Obamas live in Washington, DC, and have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.
About Various
Erin Bennett is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and a stage actress who played Carlie Roberts in the BBC radio drama Torchwood: Submission. She can be heard on several video games. Regional theater appearances include the Intiman, Pasadena Playhouse, Arizona Theatre Company, A Noise Within, Laguna Playhouse, and the Getty Villa. She trained at Boston University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.