Status
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Call number
Publication
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (2009), Edition: None, Hardcover, 32 pages
Description
As a young boy, Theodore "Teedie" Roosevelt was small, had weak eyes, and frail muscles. But Teedie was also inquisitive, brave, and self-sufficient. Determined to overcome his childhood ailments, Teedie changed from a timid homebody into an adventurous man. He explored the Wild West, fought in the Spanish-American War, served as president of the United States, and helped build the Panama Canal.
Local notes
1304-120
User reviews
LibraryThing member conuly
We all know about TR, right? Rough Riders, teddy bear, once was shot in the middle of a speech and kept on talking for a whole HOUR AND A HALF, using his bleeding arm to gesture with? Made of pure, 110% unadulturated awesome? Also a conservationist and, you know, president? (One of the big ones,
Well, you may not believe it, but back before he was awesome Teddy Roosevelt was a puny, weak, asthmatic little boy. (Apparently he never recovered from the asthma, he just lived around it. Fair enough.) No, it's true! So here is this whole book about TR as a kid and young adult and how he triumphed over his weaknesses through sheer force of will. He rides horses (and doesn't even notice his arm is broken once until several jumps had gone by, as a well-timed quote from the man himself indicates), he learns to box, he becomes a cowboy to recover from the death of his wife and his mother on the same day... well, the list goes on and on.
One note - "inspirational" tales about disability abound. Not everybody who is asthmatic or physically weak or disabled is going to be able to overcome these problems by "trying hard", and neither will all of them especially want to. This is a great book, and pretty accurate, but if you're giving it to inspire a disabled/weak/asthmatic friend, reconsider your motives. Then, when you're back to viewing this as a great true story, give it with an open heart. It's a great book. (It's a pity I even have to say this, but if you've ever been disabled you'll know how annoying it is to be told, in alternating breaths, both that you could get out of your wheelchair and walk if you wanted to/tried harder/prayed better and then that you're brave and inspirational for venturing out of the house at all.)
Also, please note that this is a lengthy book. Your younger children might not sit still long enough to get through it all. Save it for reading alone or for reading to an older crowd.
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not like Polk or Fillmore or somebody.)Well, you may not believe it, but back before he was awesome Teddy Roosevelt was a puny, weak, asthmatic little boy. (Apparently he never recovered from the asthma, he just lived around it. Fair enough.) No, it's true! So here is this whole book about TR as a kid and young adult and how he triumphed over his weaknesses through sheer force of will. He rides horses (and doesn't even notice his arm is broken once until several jumps had gone by, as a well-timed quote from the man himself indicates), he learns to box, he becomes a cowboy to recover from the death of his wife and his mother on the same day... well, the list goes on and on.
One note - "inspirational" tales about disability abound. Not everybody who is asthmatic or physically weak or disabled is going to be able to overcome these problems by "trying hard", and neither will all of them especially want to. This is a great book, and pretty accurate, but if you're giving it to inspire a disabled/weak/asthmatic friend, reconsider your motives. Then, when you're back to viewing this as a great true story, give it with an open heart. It's a great book. (It's a pity I even have to say this, but if you've ever been disabled you'll know how annoying it is to be told, in alternating breaths, both that you could get out of your wheelchair and walk if you wanted to/tried harder/prayed better and then that you're brave and inspirational for venturing out of the house at all.)
Also, please note that this is a lengthy book. Your younger children might not sit still long enough to get through it all. Save it for reading alone or for reading to an older crowd.
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LibraryThing member ebruno
This book is a bibliography of Teddy Roosevelt. Begining with his childhood and ending as an established man, this book details the life style, stuggles, and accomplishments of the youngest president of the United States of America. I would read this book to a history class (2-6 grade).
LibraryThing member patsila
This is an easy read for mid-upper elementary students. Includes a useful timeline at the end.
LibraryThing member Jill.Barrington
The young life of Theodore Roosevelt is told; some of his adult life is also included.
The book would be useful in the study of U.S. Presidents as children and/or Roosevelt.
The book would be useful in the study of U.S. Presidents as children and/or Roosevelt.
LibraryThing member Bethany1221
This book is a biography about Theodore Roosevelt. This book first goes on to describe Teddy as a young boy. He was puny, weak, and had asthma. Then it continues on about his young adulthood. Teddy had a strong mind and had the determination that carried him to presidency. This book is good for
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younger children learning about the youngest President of the United States. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jmoreeda
Don Brown’s portrayal of a young Theodore Roosevelt brings the reader into the life a young child that becomes a distinguished American. The book provides copious amounts of information regardless of age and level of the young intended audience. Perhaps, this is a result of the subject himself.
Brown’s credentials, as listed in the book, are an intriguing refutation of his personal aptitude. He criticizes his ability in his initial course of university study. Then, he suggests his turn to history as a type of last resort. Interestingly enough, he went on to write “[m]ore than a dozen and a half” children’s books. However, Brown’s credibility is significantly enhanced by his choice of references in the bibliography. Three of the five references are primary documents. Two were written by Roosevelt.
The book is written in a chronological format from the point that Roosevelt was age ten. The illustrations and text are set up and placed in a flow that compliments each other. This author included limited reference materials as the story is in a picture book format which does not allow for chapter, a table of contents, or an index. However, the Author’s Note provides additional information not explained or provided in the text. The most interesting reference tool in this book is the timeline. The author uses an illustration of an adult Roosevelt as the timeline. Details about his life are listed starting at his head on the left-hand page and continue down and continuing at the top of the right-hand page.
Overall, the organization, language patterns, and format are appropriate for the Kindergarten to third grade age level.
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The book quotes Roosevelt as remember his father stating that a children’s book is not good unless an adult gets something out of it. Brown must have considered this point as he wrote the book.Brown’s credentials, as listed in the book, are an intriguing refutation of his personal aptitude. He criticizes his ability in his initial course of university study. Then, he suggests his turn to history as a type of last resort. Interestingly enough, he went on to write “[m]ore than a dozen and a half” children’s books. However, Brown’s credibility is significantly enhanced by his choice of references in the bibliography. Three of the five references are primary documents. Two were written by Roosevelt.
The book is written in a chronological format from the point that Roosevelt was age ten. The illustrations and text are set up and placed in a flow that compliments each other. This author included limited reference materials as the story is in a picture book format which does not allow for chapter, a table of contents, or an index. However, the Author’s Note provides additional information not explained or provided in the text. The most interesting reference tool in this book is the timeline. The author uses an illustration of an adult Roosevelt as the timeline. Details about his life are listed starting at his head on the left-hand page and continue down and continuing at the top of the right-hand page.
Overall, the organization, language patterns, and format are appropriate for the Kindergarten to third grade age level.
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LibraryThing member matthewbloome
This book on the early life of Teddy Roosevelt is very well written, contains enormous amounts of useful information that any middle grade student could understand, and is both artitically and textually pleasing. Highly recommended.
LibraryThing member AdrienneWood
Teedie had a frail body but a strong mind. He had asthma for as long as he could remember and discovered that he was nearsighted after a hunting trip with his dad at the age of 13. His father told him that in order for his mind to achieve its full potential, he needed to get physcially stronger.
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After exercising and boxing and horseback riding he was still scrawny. He eventually went to Harvard, wrote books, got married, had children, became president, preserved nature, and won the Nobel Peace Prize :-)... to name a few of his accomplishments! Show Less
LibraryThing member Melissalorio
This book contains a wonderful quote: "I do not believe a child's book is really good unless grown-ups get something out of it." This was Roosevelt's philosophy on children's reading. I can say that I agree, after having read some quality nonfiction children's books of late that I have profited
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from, both in learning and enjoyment.This book, "Teedie," is a good overview of Teddy Roosevelt's life. I use the word overview in a purposeful manner, as it feels like less of a story than a list. In the beginning of the text, we get some detail about Roosevelt's early life--his challenges and his family are a part of the narrative. But by the end of the book, the story devolves into something of a laundry list of his accomplishments. I think an incredible story such as his could have been better represented by adding a bit more detail throughout, and organizing it a bit differently. Perhaps the book could have focused on his early life alone, and his adult accomplishments could have been an addendum. Although the story was informative for young students, I felt that the pull of his story started to be lost by the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member jpons
This biography is very informative about the young life of Theodore Roosevelt. The author, Don Brown, does a wonderful job giving details about the former President's childhood. One fact that stuck out to me was, his nickname was Teedie. Until reading this, I thought everyone had always called him
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Teddy. The illsutrations in this book were very colorful also. I would read this to my students when talking about history and past Presidents. Show Less
LibraryThing member slbenne1
This biography chronicles the childhood, and adulthood of Theodore, or "Teedie" Roosevelt. In his youth, he enjoyed spending time with his family in New York City, but he also struggled with asthma and nearsightedness. After losing his wife, he went to the Dakota Badlands and became a cowboy. He
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returned to New York City a changed, much stronger, man. Being appointed NYC police commissioner catapulted his political career. He was named the 26th President of the United States in 1901, after the assassination of President McKinley. Teddy would go on to protect and contribute to our nation in many ways. Show Less
LibraryThing member lissabeth21
This is a great starter biography for kids - especially kids who might be weaker physically or sick (as Teddy Roosevelt himself had been). Lots of quotes and facts presented simply and with good flow.
Awards
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Five to Nine — 2010)
Language
Physical description
32 p.; 10.1 inches
ISBN
0618179992 / 9780618179992
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Lexile
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