Review: What To Do About Alice?

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. What To Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! New York: Scholastic Press, 2008.  ISBN-13: 978-0-439-92231-9

2.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS
What To Do About Alice is a comedic, picture book biography about the  exciting life of Theodore Roosevelt's oldest daughter, Alice. The tale tells about Alice's adventures, discoveries and mischief as she grows up and eventually fills the role of the president's daughter. Her fun and carefree demeanor definitely made her more personable to those watching from the outside, though her father called her unruly behavior a "running riot." Alice called it as "eating up the world", because all she ever wanted was to be herself and learn as much as she could about things that interested her. This book serves as a great inspirational piece of literature that could help young girls see how it is acceptable to not always fit into the "mold" society has created of a "proper" woman, and that it is quite alright to follow your dreams and be yourself.

The extensive and beautiful illustrations by Fotheringham help children not only engage in the details of the biography itself, but also allows them to immerse themselves in the era in which the story takes place. The illustrations are authentic to the time, which is particularly present in the wardrobe, the horse-drawn carriage ride, and even in the way Alice styles her hair. The biography being organized  and told as a picture book, makes it more kid friendly, allowing it to reach a bigger audience, while maintaining its biographical status.

The Author's Note at the end of the book is a purposeful, and much appreciated addition that gives readers a bit more insight into Alice's world, as well as a bit more information on her involvement in politics later in life. In addition, the author provided citations of where the quotes in the book were drawn from, showing readers how factual and authentic the biography is, despite the picture book 'only' feel.

The humorous tone in Kerley's voice as he tells Alice's tale is refreshing and marries  Fotheringham's illustrations flawlesly. Readers will be left wanting more when they see  Alice carrying a huge spoon, walking away from Mount Rushmore, and think "what will Alice do next?"

3.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From Booklist: “Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was....The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art.”

From School Library Journal: "Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers."

From Kirkus Review: "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"

2001 Sibert Honor

2009 Irma Black Award Nominee

4.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other Picture Books About Outstanding Women:

•                     Coles, Robert. The Story of Ruby Bridges. ISBN-10 0439472261

•                     Winter, Jonah. Frida. ISBN-10 0590203207

Gather other Barbara Kerley books to read such as:

•                    Those Rebels, John and Tom. ISBN-10  0545222680

•                    A Home for Mr. Emerson. ISBN-10 0545350883

•                    The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy). ISBN-10 0545125081

Lesson Ideas:

- Personal narrative: what kinds of things would you personally do to "eat up the world?"
- National symbols - read book as an introduction to the White House. Have students discuss what they believe it would be like to live there.
- Use the story as a comparison between the 1900's and the 21st century's way of dressing.