What to Do About Alice? (Module 4)

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
The first line, “Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem,” sets the reader up for an exciting ride through the life of Alice Roosevelt in this fun-filled picture book biography. Kerley highlights Alice’s tomboyish ways as a kid, the press’s love for her fun-loving antics, her international exploits, her unusual wedding gifts, and her never-ending antics throughout adulthood.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Revealing a real admiration for and enjoyment of the life of Alice Roosevelt, Kerley encourages a desire to know more about the Roosevelt’s and their time in the White House. Every moment is exciting, which seems to be exactly how Alice attempted to make her life. The information is pared down to the most vital and exciting stories, which whets the appetite and inspires further research.

The highly attractive look makes this book into an inviting informational picture book. The typeface uses all caps for emphasis on important or fun words within the story, which helps younger readers latch onto the main points. Fotheringham’s illustrations capture the time period, e.g. clothing style, home decorating, modes of transportation, and even the look of newspapers. They also add an understated humor that complements Kerley’s sense of humor as well. For example, Alice is warned to not talk to reporters, yet the next page is splashed with newspapers all featuring headlines about her and the text reads, “Oh, Alice.”

The sources are cited at the end following a detailed author’s note on the life of Alice Roosevelt reaching from birth to the age of 84. This gives young readers a good sense of how an informational book is based on fact, even a highly readable biography such as this one. Booklist review suggests having a time line and better sourcing of quotes. I agree a timeline might have helped, but I think the sourcing is appropriate for the interest and reading level of the book.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• ALA Notable Book
  
• Horn Book starred review: “This sassy biography of Alice Roosevelt Longworth validates President Theodore Roosevelt's famous quip about his oldest child: ‘I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both.’”
• Kirkus starred review: “Fotheringham's digital illustrations perfectly evoke the retro styles of an earlier age, depicting a confident Alice sailing through life and tackling every challenge with delight and aplomb.”
• Publishers Weekly starred review: “It’s hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt.”
• School Library Journal starred review: “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.”

5. CONNECTIONS

• Barbara Kerley has wonderful tips on “Writing an Extraordinary Biography” on her website. With younger readers, you can go over this and discuss how her methods made this picture book informational rather than fiction. With lower elementary and up, her methods can be used to write a biography of their own. Students can write biographies about people they know or famous people.
  
• Alice Blue is a light blue color named after Alice Roosevelt and inspired by her eyes. Show the students this color and how Fotheringham uses it throughout his illustrations. A fun activity (also inspired by Kerley’s website) is to have students come up with a color that best represents them as well.
  
• Other picture book biographies (list from Horn Book):
  

Bryant, Jen. A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams. ISBN: 9780802853028

Engle, Margarita. Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian. ISBN: 0805089373

Hopkinson, Deborah. Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale. ISBN: 037583768X

Lasky, Kathryn. Georgia Rises: A Day in the Life of Georgia O’Keeffe. ISBN: 9780374325299

McDonnell, Patrick. Me . . . Jane. ISBN: 9780316045469

Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal. ISBN: 9780822567646