Book Review: What to do About Alice? Module 4

1. BILBIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. What to do About Alice? New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. ISBN 978-0-439-92231-9

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This biography tells the story of Alice Lee Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt. Alice liked to “eat up the world” and explore, have fun, and experience new things. Even with the loss of her mother and difficulty with her legs growing properly, Alice grew up to be a free-spirited and fun loving lady and often got involved in politics. Despite her good intentions, Theodore Roosevelt never quite solved “What to do about Alice?”

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kerley begins this delightful biography with explaining that Theodore Roosevelt had a “small problem.” In fact, in comparison to herding cattle, leading the Rough Riders, and serving as Vice President; Alice proved to be a much more difficult challenge. Kerley humorously presents this biography of Alice so that the reader will both love Alice and sympathize with her father. Theodore’s comments of “Oh, Alice” demonstrate his exasperation while Alice’s fun loving spirit is irresistible. Certain words in the text are capitalized in order to add emphasis to the phrases. When Alice’s father tells her to “SIT DOWN,” the reader can perceive his frustration.

The design of this picture book biography includes illustrations by Fotheringham that support and enhance the text of the biography. The illustrations show Alice’s animation, excitement, and energy. When Alice says to her father, “Let me loose in your library,” the illustrations reveal her moving from place to place, selecting various titles to study. Although much of the text is very dramatic all on its own, the illustrations bring it to a new level. The idea of having to go to boarding school completely “shriveled” Alice. Fotheringham adds more drama to the scene by depicting Alice lying face down on her bed, surrounded by strewn handkerchiefs. Through many of the pages, Alice’s free spirit is portrayed with her smile, playful walk, riding horses, dancing, and welcoming visitors to the White House with a snake.

The story line is organized in chronological order. Since this biography would be categorized as a picture book biography, it reads more like a regular picture book. The style is more like a person telling a story, rather than a list of facts. The voice of the book includes animation and emotion that reflects the activities of Alice. Resources that were used in creating the biography are cited at the end of the book.  

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Starred Review – 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."
*Starred Review – Kirkus Reviews: "Theodore Roosevelt’s irrepressible oldest child receives an appropriately vivacious appreciation in this superb picture book.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Read other picture book biographies:

-Adler, David. A PICTURE BOOK OF ANNE FRANK. ISBN 978-0823410781

-Kerley, Barbara. DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS. ISBN 978-0439114950

-Ringgold, Faith. IF A BUS COULD TALK: THE STORY OF ROSA PARKS. ISBN 978-0689856761

*Discuss why Alice was held to a higher standard than other girls. What kinds of behaviors were expected and what behaviors were unacceptable?

*Have students work with partners to create a biography of any president or family member of a president. Include accurate research in the biography.