What To Do About Alice?

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

BOOK SUMMARY

What To Do About Alice? informs readers about the wild adventures of First Daughter, Alice Roosevelt. The good, the bad, and the unacceptable behaviors are described and illustrated in an easy-to-read picture book format.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Author Barbara Kernley is known for her picture book biographies, and she certainly wows readers with this exciting biography about Alice Roosevelt. Taking information from Roosevelt’s autobiography and other biographical sources, Kernley gives readers a general idea about the unruly behavior exhibited by the former First Daughter.

Formatted almost like a chronological storybook, Kernley takes readers through Alice’s life, revealing examples of how Alice broke the rules early on in her life all the way through her teenage years and into adulthood. As a simple reference aid, the author notes dates such as the year Alice was born and when her father become President. These dates help readers connect events in Alice’s life to other current events. However, a more detailed timeline would have been helpful.  Other than a small section after the author’s note, this book does not contain a formal bibliography or index. A bibliography for the quotes is provided, but an index in a text this brief is unnecessary.

The design of the book is very inviting. Colorful, animated illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham complement the text. An interesting note about the text format is the difference in font style and size whenever someone (usually Alice’s father, Theodore Roosevelt) is being quoted. The varying font formats is very appealing to the eye. The design of the text, with its haphazard text alignment and positioning, charms the young reader.

Kernley’s storybook style grabs and keeps readers attention, helping them to see the exciting life of this historical figure using appropriately leveled vocabulary. Kernley reveals her passion for Roosevelt with this text meant for younger readers (although it is enticing to older readers as well). Her author’s note further answers questions readers may have about Alice without overwhelming them with information. Personally, the author’s note encouraged me to learn more about the wild child. I am particularly amused by a quote embroidered on a pillow: “If you haven’t got anything good to say about anyone, come and sit by me.”  

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

Awards

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award honor book: Nonfiction, 2008

Cybil Award, 2008

Parent’s Choice Award, 2008

Sibert Honor Book, 2009

Starred Reviews

 “This book provides a fascinating glimpse into both a bygone era and one of its more interesting denizens as well as a surefire antidote for any child who thinks that historical figures are boring.”

—School Library Journal, March 2008

“The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art, which includes use of digital media.”

—Booklist, January 2008

“It's a gleeful celebration of a fully, unapologetically led life.”

—Kirkus Reviews, February 2008

CONNECTIONS

Related Books

Felsenthal, Carol. 1988. Princess Alice: The life and times of Alice Roosevelt Longworth. New York: St. Martin’s Press. ISBN 9780312302221

Kimmelman, Leslie. 2009. Mind your manners, Alice Roosevelt! Ill. by Adam Gustavson. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishing. ISBN 9781561454921

Longworth, Alice Roosevelt. 1933. Crowded hours. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. (ISBN not available; out of print)

Comparing Biographies (for older readers)

Read this book along with two or more of the biographies listed. Compare the fact found in the book with those in the other books. Are there any discrepancies in the facts in each book? Does one book portray Alice in a different way than the others—more positively, negatively, etc.? Use this information to create a poster-size graphic organizer (Venn, T-chart, etc.) comparing the similar and different features of each text.

First Daughters

As (or after) you read What To Do About Alice?, make a character web (or similar graphic organizer) detailing her many character traits.  Research another First Daughter and create a character traits web. Compare the ages, freedoms, responsibilities and personalities of Alice with the other First Daughters.

Culture Study

Use What To Do About Alice? as a spring board to research behavioral expectations for woman and children in the early 20^th Century. Make a poster detailing the expectations for women at home, in public, etc. and dress/play the part! (Well, the girls anyway!) Students may also choose to create a timeline to show how women’s roles have changed in a little over a century.