It's not just former presidents who get book deals, but sitting first ladies too, for which we are grateful. First Lady Michelle Obama has just signed a deal with Crown Publishing to write a book about the White House kitchen garden and to explore how locally grown food can improve eating habits. The untitled book, which will include family recipes, is due out in April 2012. Mrs. Obama is not getting an advance, according to the Associated Press, and all proceeds from the book will be given to charity.

As Mrs. Obama told the AP in a Wednesday telephone interview: “We wanted to share the story with the rest of the nation and perhaps with the rest of the world, because we get so many questions about the garden: How did we do it? Why did we do it? How do I do this in my own home or community?”

It is the First Lady's first book. Mrs. Obama's husband, who she has said may help her with her own book, has two best-sellers to his credit. Crown is a division of Random House, which publishes Mr. Obama's books.

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