Books
Need new text here. Irene O’Garden has won or been nominated for prizes in nearly every writing category from stage to e-screen, hardcovers, children’s books.
Glad To Be Human
Winner of a 2012 Pushcart Prize, Glad to Be Human is a lyric and passionate outburst of appreciation for our lives in the 21st century. In rhythmic and sensual language this joie de couer returns us to the daily beauties and bounties of human life: its pleasures, its relationships, its diversity, its creativity and the poignant cycle of life itself. It is a rare and affirming piece of work that throws wide and loving arms around our world.
"For many years now, the poet, playwright, and memoirist Irene O’Garden has been a hero to me. I think of her as a walking, writing, beam of light. It is my hope that with the release of ‘Glad to be Human’ numberless others will come to know her gifts and, most of all, her captivating talent for wonder and marvel."
“RISKING THE RAPIDS is a deep and powerful memoir. Irene O’Garden sifts through her family’s shared pain (and shared joy!) with elegance and care ― searching for nothing less than ultimate understanding and supreme forgiveness.” -
Risking the Rapids
I am eager to share that it is never too late to heal from family damage, that risk assists recovery and that being afraid is nothing to be afraid of.
I grew up in a repressed mid-century Midwest household with six other siblings, a TV-personality father, an icy mother and rivers of martinis. The shocking death of my problematic older brother in 2014 prompted me (at age 62) and other relatives to seek closure on a journey through the remotest spot in the lower forty-eight, Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. What was described as a genial river “float” became a harrowing whitewater experience.
That story, braided with the narrative of my corrosive upbringing and subsequent healing, is told in this book.
“Very moving. I couldn’t put down. I was impressed with the writing and the way O’Garden was able to write from inside addiction and make the mechanics of addiction clear. I know this is one of the books I’ll be buying by the dozen to give to people.”
Fat Girl
For every woman who’s ever felt sad, bad, blue and mad about “overweight,” here’s a sharp Lily-Tomlinesque monologue on one woman’s triumph over guilt. FAT GIRL: One Woman’s Way Out (Harper San Francisco) chronicles my struggle and subsequent victory over a lifelong compulsive eating problem.
FAT GIRL is an artist’s approach to a problem that has been scienced to death. It focuses on feelings. The story is told in vivid images and emotions which involve the reader deeply, helping her face her own feelings about food and herself. In poetic prose and over fifty sensitive drawings, Irene O’Garden traces her journey from childhood through maturity, from guilt and self-loathing to discovery and joy. FAT GIRL is a fresh perspective on a common problem, and above all, a very loving book.
Fulcrum
My first book of poetry, Fulcrum: Selected Poems, published by Nirala Press
Sparkling musicality, deep emotion and discerning reflection distinguish O’ Garden’s poems. Here is a fine intelligence at work-and at play-revealing a tonic perspective in a range of poetic expression, including lyric, narrative and her own innovative “fulcrum” forms. Her close observation and sensual delight in language make “Fulcrum” an experience both grounding and uplifting.
Women on Fire
This evening of twelve emotionally charged monologues starred Judith Ivey Off Broadway, where its run was extended twice. From ad exec to Midwest mom to care-giver to construction worker, each character is on fire in her own way – with passion, fear, self-discovery, even shopping!
Exploring the breadth of women’s issues with humor and wisdom, the monologues offer excellent roles for one or more mature actresses. Women on Fire earned the highest rating for audience satisfaction from the Wall Street Journal/Zagat Theatre Survey.
“Bewitching … astounding … heartbreaking.” The New York Times
“Heartwarming, riveting drama.” NYTheatre.com
“Fresh, spirited … plumbing the secret depths of ordinary women.” Backstage
“Hot pick.” New York Post
Forest, What Would You Like?
“Performer and poet O’Garden’s jubilant dialogue between sweet-natured children and a personified forest offers an apt blend of lush imagery and bare-bones kid-ness, set to a read-aloud rhythm.” Kirkus Reviews
“This book is a vibrant answer to Richard Louv’s call for parents and children to return to nature for the ‘rebirth of wonder and joy.” John Adams, Founder of Natural Resources Defense Council, recipient of Congressional Medal of Honor
The Greatness of Girls
Behind almost every inspiring woman is the tale of the shy, fearful or searching girl she once was and what transformed her life. In The Greatness of Girls, author Susan Strong captures these poignant moments from women of all walks of life. An excerpt from my book Fat Girl appears in The Greatness of Girls.
I am in excellent company, as the list of the women featured in this book include:
Katharine Graham, Gloria Steinem, Maya Angelou, Margaret Mead, Nina Totenburg, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary Tyler Moore, Jane Goodall, Queen Latifah, Sigourney Weaver, Sheryl Swoopes, Cybil Shepherd, Ellen Goodman, Zora Neale Hurston, Fannie Flagg, Carol Burnett, Marian Anderson, Beverly Cleary, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Margaret Bourke-White, Candace Bergen, Esmerelda Santiago, Firda Kahlo, Cokie Roberts, Judy Blume, Tyra Banks, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Britney Spears, Irene O’Garden, Phoebe Eng, Rita Dove, Wendy Wasserstein, Anne Frank, Babe Didrickson Zaharias, Helen Keller, Patricia Polacco, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sylvia Earle, Alison Townsend, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Kim Ng, Golda Meier.
The Scrubbly Bubbly Car Wash
The Scrubbly Bubbly Car Wash, was released by Harper in March 2003. What can I say: I simply love going through the car wash!
The Scrubbly Bubbly Car Wash has been honored with The Gold Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award, which was founded in 1989 as the only independent consumer review of children’s media. This award is given out annually to honor the creators of excellent children’s toys, books, video and software. I am thrilled to have received a nod from the Oppenheims, who are contributors to The Today Show. Find out more at Toy Portfolio.
Maybe My Baby
Maybe My Baby (Harper, 1998) is a book for newborns. It was featured on The Today Show and has sold over 90,000 copies.
“This cute board book is filled with photographs of sunny, smiling babies wearing hats and holding accessories that represent several professions. The charming poem that accompanies the photos muse on what the baby will grow up to be, adding that no matter what it his, his or her parents will love her just the same.” — Manchester Ct. Journal Inquirer
“A sweet, well-intentioned book that will find a home in libraries with large toddler collections” School Library Journal
“Fosters an environment of early book sharing with a text that’s meaningful to adults.” Chapel Hill News