WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?: HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE THE RULES, CHARMED THE WORLD, AND DROVE HER FATHER TEDDY CRAZY! Written by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

Review by Christi De Leon

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. What to do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. ISBN 0439922313

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

This book is a biography about Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter, Alice. It begins by telling how life was for Alice growing up with her father and her many experiences while living in the White House. The biography continues by describing Alice as a young adult, eventually marrying and becoming a wife of a congressman. Signs of Alice’s rambunctious behavior are shown throughout the book.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This entertaining picture book biography presents Alice’s high-spirited nature, as she was “eating up the world.” Many of Alice’s moments are clearly exaggerated in the illustrations with intent to illuminate the liveliness of her character. Examples include Alice’s way of getting rid of her leg braces, her ride down the White House staircase, and the abundance of gifts she received as she traveled. However, by exploring other books about Alice Roosevelt, similar descriptions of Alice Roosevelt are provided. The important facts, such as significant dates and turning points, are also precisely stated. Quotes are documented at the end of the book.

This book is organized with a story-like approach, informing readers about Alice Roosevelt’s life and experiences. Reference aids are not included within the story, but the significant events are mentioned as they occurred throughout Alice’s life.

How could one resist opening a book with Alice Roosevelt freely riding a bicycle through a flower garden in front of the White House? The colorful, vibrant illustrations made of mixed media simply enhance the text in portraying Alice’s adventures. The text itself occasionally changes in size, and the formatting varies to accommodate the illustrations.

Along with having an upbeat and pleasurable reading experience, readers will also learn all about Alice and her role as President Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter. This biography is bursting with facts, but does not dig deep into specific information. After being engaged by this book, readers are likely to be inspired to learn more about Alice Roosevelt from additional sources. Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham clearly demonstrate their admiration for Alice Roosevelt through the creation of this memorable biography.

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Sibert Honor Book

Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

Irma Black Award Honor Book

Parents Choice Award

From Booklist: "Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was…. Kerley's text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line…. The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art."

From Publishers Weekly: "It's hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt."      

From The Horn Book: "What to do about Alice?  Enjoy!" 

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other Barbara Kerley books to read such as:

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. ISBN 0439114942

Walt Whitman: Words for America. ISBN 0439357918

Gather other books to read about Alice Roosevelt such as:

Kimmelman, Leslie. Mind Your Manners, Alice Roosevelt! ISBN 1561454923

Possible activities:

Research information about Theodore Roosevelt and his accomplishments.

Take students on a virtual tour of the White House and look for connections to the book.