Timed perfectly for the summer barbecue season, and her hubby’s reelection campaign, first lady Michelle Obama is finally set to unveil a professionally-written and photographed book about her veggie garden and get-fit initiative May 29.
Crown books, publisher of American Grown, How The White House Kitchen Garden Inspires Families, Schools and Communities, plans an extensive book tour for the first lady that will keep the most popular half of the first couple in front of voters for a whole month, a critical period as Americans begin to size up who they want to lead the nation for the next four years.
The 256-page hardcover book features the first lady on the cover holding a basket of fresh-picked veggies and her name stripped across the bottom. It will include what Crown describes as “gorgeous” photos of the White House gardens from Quentin Bacon, a famed food photographer.
It was originally set for release in April and has been twice delayed. A late May release assures that the book and first lady will be splashed on magazines and TV throughout June.
Crown also plans to release ebook versions and has an extensive social media campaign set up, including a page on Facebook which will be www.facebook/americangrown.
Aides and Crown have been secretive about what’s in the book, which is expected to include anecdotes of Mrs. Obama’s travels around the nation to promote her popular Let’s Move! campaign. But it will describe the evolution of the garden, how the White House kitchen has used the produce and even some stories about the White House beehive.
One hint from the publisher is that the first lady will credit her daughters with the vegetable garden idea and the first family’s new and healthy diet, which is interesting because Mrs. Obama recently revealed to US Magazine that she has a tight leash on what her girls can and cannot eat. They “have a set diet,” she said, adding, “They can’t pick up the phone and order anything. They’re kids.”
