Bibliography:
Kerley, Barbara; Fotheringham,Edwin.[illus.]. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. 2008.
ISBN: 9780439922319.
Plot Summary:
What to do about Alice? is a biography picture book about Alice Roosevelt. This non-fiction book tells about her outrageous, uncontrollable behavior, and how her dad (President Teddy Roosevelt) could not control her. The title page reads "How Alice Roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world and drove her father Teddy crazy."
Critical Analysis:
Barbara Kerley is a well known nonfiction writer so proving the accuracy of this book was not very difficult. Most of the information could be looked up easily. Kerley is famous for her picture book biographies with her own unique style that enlightens and educates readers. When a reader first looks at this book, the cover is very interesting and catches one's attention with the large cartoon style art. The illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham are vivid and in a way that is appropriate for the time Alice lived and made to look like the late 1800′s and earlier 1900′s. They are mischievous and represent the times accurately in clothing and style. On one page, the illustrations display several things happening with and around Alice. This gives the reader of feel of Alice's haphazard behavior and how she was never idle for long while exploring everything. As the book states, "Alice was hungry to go places, meet people, and do things". The print is large and small while mixing fonts to draw the readers attention to certain words. For example on one page:
Her father called it "RUNNING RIOT" and Alice called it "eating up the world".
This book is wonderful for giving readers a biography that is not just about presidents, war heroes or celebrities but on a more personal note.This biography serves its purpose of being educational, but unlike most in its genre, it was also a fun biography to read. The recommended age for this book is 4-8 but I feel could be used up to middle school grades. The book begins when Alice is small and moves chronologically with Alice's age up till the point she marries and becomes a woman. At the end of the book, the author's note gives more insight into Alice with more stories about her antics. Middle school students would love the author's notes because it gives more about Alice with a higher level of reading. I loved this book and fell in love with Alice and all of her escapades and charm.
Connections:
Other stories/bibliographies by Barbara Kerley:Kerley, Barbara. The Extraordinary Mark Twain.
Kerley, Barbara. One World, One Day.
Kerley, Barbara. A Cool Drink of Water.
Kerley, Barbara. Walt Whitman: Words for America
Websites with Activities, Games and Lesson Plans-
Websites with Activities, Games and Lesson Plans-
http://suzyred.com/2009-what-to-do-about-alice.html
http://www.texaslibrarian.com/page/11/
* "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.' With a palette that emphasizes Alice Blue, her signature color, the illustrations often match Alice’s spirit with zigzag streaks, circular pieces of spot art, and slanting figures." — Horn Book, 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. Kerley knows just how to introduce her to contemporary readers. Debut illustrator Fotheringham creates the perfect mood from the start: his stylish digital art sets a fast pace, making use of speed lines (rendered in dots, these earn their names) and multiple vignettes to evoke characters in perpetual motion." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Kerley brings another historical figure to life. Kerley’s text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject’s antics...Fotheringham’s digitally rendered, retro-style illustrations are a superb match for the text. The energy in his pictures is palpable...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." — School Library Journal, starred review
http://www.texaslibrarian.com/page/11/
Awards and Reviews:
- 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
- A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
- A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
- A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
- An ALA Notable Book
- Capitol Choices
- New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
- Nominated for Young Reader awards in Texas, Illinois, Utah and Tennessee
* "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.' With a palette that emphasizes Alice Blue, her signature color, the illustrations often match Alice’s spirit with zigzag streaks, circular pieces of spot art, and slanting figures." — Horn Book, 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. Kerley knows just how to introduce her to contemporary readers. Debut illustrator Fotheringham creates the perfect mood from the start: his stylish digital art sets a fast pace, making use of speed lines (rendered in dots, these earn their names) and multiple vignettes to evoke characters in perpetual motion." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Kerley brings another historical figure to life. Kerley’s text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject’s antics...Fotheringham’s digitally rendered, retro-style illustrations are a superb match for the text. The energy in his pictures is palpable...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." — School Library Journal, starred review
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