Book Review – WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kerley, Barbara. 2008. 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. ISBN 9780439922319
2. PLOT SUMMARY
If you think running the country is a big job, you haven’t experienced half of what United States President Theodore Roosevelt had to accomplish raising his rambunctious daughter. This delightful picture book biography gives an account of the many antics young Alice Roosevelt was involved in while maturing in an unconventional way in the eyes of the public.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Barbara Kerley gives a humorous and insightful account of the life of former President “Teddy” Roosevelt’s daughter, Alice. From wanting to wear pants, having unusual pets, to traveling about the world, Kerley does an excellent job in using simple language along with quotations from other works in presenting Alice as a lively soul that was way ahead of her time. The author’s repetitious use of the quote “eating up the world” helps readers see Alice’s passion for living life. The storybook conversational style allows one to really delve into her existence. It helps one be in touch with the realism of growing up in politics, not just in the prim and proper way that people expect. The Roosevelt family can be seen as a real people, with real problems and triumphs. The author’s notes and bibliography at the conclusion lends authentic resources used in formulating these details.
To complement the great storytelling quality, Fotheringham’s illustrations that resemble a modern day cartoon-like avatar also provides realism. On one hand, the characters look like cartoons, but on the other hand the illustrations look so much like the subjects: especially the large “dead ringer” portrait of President Roosevelt at the beginning of the story. The general setting, modes of transportation (horses, trains, steamboats), and clothing (3-piece suits with vests, petticoats, gloves, boots, ribbons, bonnets, hats, etc.) clearly depicted the early 1900 time period. The illustrator’s signature “dots” used throughout cleverly indicates text in newspapers and books, object design, and Alice’s vivacious movements as she travels about. The large format pages, shiny and slick, filled with patriotic colorful pictures are also favorable design elements.
From beginning to end, this well-organized narrative account of Alice Roosevelt’s life will peak the interest of many readers across all ages. It is hoped that Alice’s colorful way of life will paint a new picture for future biographies that would be otherwise presumed unexciting.
Barbara Kerley gives a humorous and insightful account of the life of former President “Teddy” Roosevelt’s daughter, Alice. From wanting to wear pants, having unusual pets, to traveling about the world, Kerley does an excellent job in using simple language along with quotations from other works in presenting Alice as a lively soul that was way ahead of her time. The author’s repetitious use of the quote “eating up the world” helps readers see Alice’s passion for living life. The storybook conversational style allows one to really delve into her existence. It helps one be in touch with the realism of growing up in politics, not just in the prim and proper way that people expect. The Roosevelt family can be seen as a real people, with real problems and triumphs. The author’s notes and bibliography at the conclusion lends authentic resources used in formulating these details.
To complement the great storytelling quality, Fotheringham’s illustrations that resemble a modern day cartoon-like avatar also provides realism. On one hand, the characters look like cartoons, but on the other hand the illustrations look so much like the subjects: especially the large “dead ringer” portrait of President Roosevelt at the beginning of the story. The general setting, modes of transportation (horses, trains, steamboats), and clothing (3-piece suits with vests, petticoats, gloves, boots, ribbons, bonnets, hats, etc.) clearly depicted the early 1900 time period. The illustrator’s signature “dots” used throughout cleverly indicates text in newspapers and books, object design, and Alice’s vivacious movements as she travels about. The large format pages, shiny and slick, filled with patriotic colorful pictures are also favorable design elements.
From beginning to end, this well-organized narrative account of Alice Roosevelt’s life will peak the interest of many readers across all ages. It is hoped that Alice’s colorful way of life will paint a new picture for future biographies that would be otherwise presumed unexciting.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
ALA ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK 2009
ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOK 2009
TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD NOMINEE 2009-2010
ALA ROBERT F. SIBERT HONOR BOOK 2009
ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOK 2009
TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD NOMINEE 2009-2010
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2008
KIRKUS: Starred Review - “It’s a gleeful celebration of a fully, unapologetically led life.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: Starred Review - “A fun biography of a little-known historical figure and a great addition to Women's History Month celebrations; a surefire antidote for any child who thinks that historical figures are boring.”
KIRKUS: Starred Review - “It’s a gleeful celebration of a fully, unapologetically led life.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: Starred Review - “A fun biography of a little-known historical figure and a great addition to Women's History Month celebrations; a surefire antidote for any child who thinks that historical figures are boring.”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Students may collect other biographies of the Roosevelt family to compare information learned.
· Teachers of young readers may visit Kerley’s website for this fun extension of exploring art in the famous “Alice Blue” – “Using finger paints in the three primary colors (blue, yellow, and red) plus white and black (to make tints lighter or darker) mix the color that best represents YOU. Then paint a picture of yourself wearing a gown or suit of your own color.”: http://www.barbarakerley.com/Site/What_To_Do_About_Alice.html
Other resources used:
http://www.txla.org/
http://www.barbarakerley.com
http://www.kirkusreviews.com
This book review was created as an assignment for a course at
Texas Woman’s University.
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