WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE by Barbara Kerley

Bibliography:   

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE.  Ill. Edwin Fotheringham.  New York, NY: Scholastic Press.   ISBN 9780439922319 

Plot Summary:   

The author, Barbara Kerley, thought out of the box and used a fun and creative way to educate young readers about one of our nation’s beloved presidents, President Roosevelt.  Readers will go on a journey through time with Alice, the president’s headstrong daughter.  With all of the adventures President Roosevelt experienced, Alice was his greatest challenge and greatest job.   

Critical Analysis:   

Teachers will love using this fun informational book to educate their students about President Roosevelt through his young, spirited daughter, Alice.  The author has done a wonderful job in creating a high quality informational book that is accurate with historical details.  The story follows a logical path as it follows Alice from a young girl to the wife of a congressman.  What to do About Alice is wonderfully designed as Fortheringham’s illustrations bring Alice and her life alive in an attractive and inviting way.  The author’s style is lively and interesting, and shows a fun twist on learning about our nation’s history.  Readers will be curious to turn the page to see what Alice is going to get into next.   

Wonderful Author’s Notes can be found in the back of the book that provide the reader with additional historical information, including and excerpt from a letter President Roosevelt wrote to his daughter, Alice, while he was on tour in Puerto Rico.                                   

Reviews:   

·        Sibert Honor Book

·        2002 Randolph Caldecott Metal Honor Book

·        2002 ALA Children’s Notable Book

·        Publishers Weekly:  “It is hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt.”

·        School Library Review:  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 … Fascinating.”

·        Booklist:  “Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was … Kerley’s text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line…” 

Connections:  Age Level:  7 and up

·        President Study:  Teddy Roosevelt

·        Students create a poster displaying facts found within the informational book (Ideas:  book jacket or graffiti map)

·        Create a “DID YOU KNOW” bulletin board in the hallway about President Roosevelt and his daughter, Alice.

·        Create a Flow Map displaying the events seen within the text.

·        Create a Heart Map for Alice, showing the things she loves and cares about as seen within the text.