Book Review: What to do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley

Bibliography: 
Kerley, Barbara. (2008). What to do About Alice? Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439922319.


Summary: 
What to do About Alice? is a picture book biography about Alice Roosevelt. The book byline reads, "How Alice Roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy!" Alice is a dreamer and seems to always be getting into some sort of mischief. Once her father was in office, Alice was a hot topic for the press. The book ends with the pending question: "What to do  about Alice?" along with an author's note about Alice Roosevelt's life.


Critical Analysis: 
From taking the first look at this book's cover, one wants to read the book. The illustrations on the cover and the title beckon you to open up and learn more about the life of Alice Roosevelt. The back cover of the book has a quote from Teddy Roosevelt saying, "I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both." This sets the tone for this picture book biography.

The illustrations throughout the book are detailed. From the way the illustrator depicts motion to the detailed initials on Alice's handkerchiefs, as the reader I felt very connected to the text. The actual printed text of the book is interesting. Some words are in bold type, some words are capitalized, and others are in different fonts or italicized. It was interesting to see what words the author wanted the reader to pay extra attention to. For example, when Teddy Roosevelt says Alice is, "RUNNING RIOT" and Alice says she is, "eating up the world." These two phrases are in two different fonts, larger than the other text to really stand out.

The book was accurate to what I have researched. A "special thanks" is given to Carol Felsenthal at the end of the book for her fact-checking. In the back of the book there are also references and more information about Alice Roosevelt's life.


Awards: 
Sibert Honor Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
Irma Black Award Honor Book
Parents Choice Award
Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award
California Collections
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Review Best Book of the Year
ALA Notable Book
Capitol Choices
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Nominated for Young Reader Awards in TX, IL, TN

"Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics .... Fascinating." -School Library Journal 
"It's hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves Alice Roosevelt." -Publishers Weekly


Connections: 
*History Connection: Read the book aloud during the study of Teddy Roosevelt or women throughout history.
*Note: This book is perfect for a read aloud with the great artwork and text.
*Geography Connection: Use the book to study the different places in the book, historical and countries.
*Author Study: Barbara Kerley: Other books by Kearley include award-winning The Extraordinary Mark Twain. See http://barbarakerley.com/MyBooks.html for a complete list and teacher guides.
*Language Arts: Have children write their own biography so far in their lives and make up future plans and write about them.


Source: 
Children's Book Author Barbara Kerley. "What to do About Alice?" Retrieved on March 28, 2012 from http://barbarakerley.com/Alice.html.