What To Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley

Bibliography:

Kerley, Barbara. What To Do About Alice? Jefferson City, MO: Scholastic Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0439922319

Plot Summary:

President Theodore had a daughter named Alice who truly kept him on his toes. She was not like other girls. She was adventurous and intelligent. She just wanted to have fun. Many people loved her vivacious character. Other people did not like that she was not very lady like.

Critical Analysis:

Author Barbara Kerley and Illustrator Edwin Fotheringham brought Alice Roosevelt Longworth to life with this incredibly written and illustrated picture book biography. The opening statement reels the reader in with, "Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem." Barbara Kerley goes on to explain the wonderful and difficult things Theodore Roosevelt had done, but he could not control his daughter. The digital illustrations present colorful images of a carefree and adventurous girl from the time she was a toddler to adulthood. The illustrations elaborate the text with detail, action and emotion. You can tell that poor Teddy struggled to understand and contain Alice just by looking at his facial expressions and sweat dripping down his face. You can tell by Alice's expressions and actions that she just wanted to have fun and enjoy life. Even though she faced challenges such as losing her mother before she met her and having to wear leg braces, she never wanted people to feel sorry for her. Barbara Kerley let us know that Alice did not want people to to say, "THE POOR LITTLE THING!" One of my favorite parts of the story is reading "Alice tried to be helpful. She watched her younger bothers and sister so her stepmother could get some rest" and then seeing an illustration of Alice leading her siblings in sliding down the stairs on flat tray-like objects. She was a firecracker! My second favorite part is Theodore Roosevelt telling a friend, "I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly DO BOTH." The entire story is summarized in that quote. It was smart to include it in the story. It is obvious that Barbara Kerley enjoyed writing about vivacious Alice. She took her time to research Alice. She used quotes and facts found in the sources she listed at the end of the story. She never gave her opinion of Alice. She was sure to get an expert, Carol Felsenthal, to check her facts and illustrations. After all the illustrations should match the setting of the story. Edwin Fotheringham did a wonderful job of matching the illustrations to the setting. The girls wore dresses. The hair styles and vehicles were different from those of today. Barbara Kerley made the text reader friendly by spacing the sentences more than usual. She used Adobe Gazamond Pro Regular and Rosewood Std. Fill font that is clear and fun, not boring. The story was organized in sequencing the events in Alice's life from birth to adulthood. The reader won't miss a beat. This is such an interesting story for people of all ages to enjoy. My seven year old daughter loved reading this biography even though she did not know anything about Theodore Roosevelt or Alice Roosevelt Longworth. This is a must read!

Sources used as a reference for this book:

Felsenthal, Carol. Alice Roosevelt Longworth. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1988. ISBN: 978-1131437958

Longworth, Alice Roosevelt. Crowded Hours. New York: Carles Scribner's Sons, 1933. ASIN: B00JR50TTW

The New York Times, Feb. 21, 1980. B14, col 4.

Teague, Michael. Mrs. L. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & CO, 1981. ASIN: B000L0LW48

Review Excerpts:
Sibert Honor Book; Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book; Irma Black Award Honor Book; Parents Choice Award; Washington State Scandiuzzi  Children's Book Award; A Publisher Weekly Best Book of the Year; A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; Book of the Year; A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year; An ALA Notable Book

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 School Library Journal: "Kerley brings another historical figure to life."

From Kirkus Reviews: "Kerley's precise text presents readers with a devilishly smart, strong-willed girl who was determined to live life on her own terms-and largely succeeded."

Connections:

Gather other books about Alice Roosevelt Longworth to read such as:

• Cordery, Stacy A. Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworthy, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker. ISBN: 978-0143114277
• Felsenthal, Carol. Alice Roosevelt Longworth. ISBN: 978-1131437958
• Longworth, Alice Roosevelt. Crowded Hours. ASIN: B00JR50TTW
• The New York Times, Feb. 21, 1980. B14, col 4.
• Teague, Michael. Mrs. L. ASIN: B000L0LW48

Gather other books about Theodore Roosevelt to read such as:

• Morison, Elting F. The Letters of Theodore Roosevelt. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1951.
• Charyn, Jerome. The Perilous Adventures of the Cowboy King: A Novel of Teddy Roosevelt and His Times. ISBN: 978-163149387

Gather other biographies by Barbara Kerley to read such as:

• Kerley, Barbara. A Home for Mr. Emerson. ISBN: 978-0545350884
• Kerley, Barbara. The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy). ISBN: 978-0545125086

Use these books to compare formats, illustrations, facts and biographies.

Use to discuss which type of biography students prefer to read.

Use these books for research projects on important people in history.