What To Do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!

by Barbara Kerley

Other authorsEdwin Fotheringham (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

B1884

Publication

Scholastic Press (2008), 48 pages

Description

A brief biography in pictures and simple text of Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife.

User reviews

LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26

Alice Lee Roosevelt - eldest daughter of Theodore Roosevelt - was quite the character: always up to mischief, always involved in an adventure, always causing a sensation! From the time she was a little girl, when she refused to do something as conventional as attend Miss Spence's exclusive New York

City boarding school for girls, to her days as a young woman traveling abroad, Alice was someone to be reckoned with - a reality best summarized by her father's comment, during his presidency, that "I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly DO BOTH."

I enjoyed this picture-book biography of a figure that was very well-known in her own day - dubbed "Princess Alice," she was often in the newspaper for her various antics, and was a true celebrity - although I do wonder, from the little I have read, whether the "real" Alice Roosevelt was such a happy person. Leaving that aside, What to Do About Alice? does introduce younger readers to a historical figure about whom they probably know little, and Edwin Fotheringham's illustrations have a frenetic energy that suites the fast-paced narrative. Recommended to young biography lovers, and to anyone who appreciates stories about feisty girls.

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24 more

LibraryThing member brookebrush

Age Appropriateness: Primary & Intermediate
Genre: Biography
Review: This was a good simple biography for younger children, this is because it simplified the president's daughter's life.
Comments: -Talk about what president Theodore Roosevelt did
-Ask students how Alice's life was different from other

children's lives & how it was similar?
Plot: 4
Media: watercolors

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LibraryThing member artlibby

Meet Alice, Theodore Roosevelt's eldest daughter. She was America's sweetheart before the advent of the movie celebrity, and this picture book gives modern day readers a view into the life of a president's daughter a century ago. The book concludes with a chronological synopsis of Alice's life in

addition to the sources of the quotes used throughout the text. The text is embedded within whimsical spreads of illustrations that both compliment the storyline and highlight the personality and spunk of Alice Roosevelt. The book will satisfy some of the curiosity evoked by the Bush twins and the Obama girls as America's youth try to make sense of what life must be like with your Daddy as president. A must for elementary school libraries.

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LibraryThing member tiburon

This story serves to refute stereotypes of women in the Victorian age, when women were supposed to be relegated to their “separate sphere” of home and hearth while men went forth into the world. Alice proves that some women let their minds free and had fulfilling, adventurous lives, even if

that was not the norm.The historical nuances and information about the time period are found in the pictures. The last picture is wonderful: it shows Alice walking away across the surface of the earth as her father eyes her somewhat nervously from his post on Mt. Rushmore. She has a huge spoon slung over her shoulder, the better to “eat up the world” with. It sums the story up perfectly.

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LibraryThing member morgantk

This informative biography gives readers a glance at what it was like to be the president's daughter. The story is filled with interesting facts and more information is included in the author's note at the back of the book.

LibraryThing member safowlie

Alice Roosevelt's mother died when she was small, and her father really let her have the run of the house. Alice had an unconventional childhood, and seemed to make up for her wild antics with a lot of charm.

I wondered what the point of this biography was. It seemed a bit flippant to me. The

illustrations convey a sense of fun, and the layout also supports the light-hearted tone.

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LibraryThing member djmeyers

Honestly, this book made me laugh out loud the whole way through it! It perfectly captured the adventurous essessence of Alice Roosevelt. I loved the artwork, as it complimented the action of the story line. One of my favorite pictures was Alice cruising down the stairs of the whithouse on a cookie

tray! How funny! In a time where women just did not prance around like this, Alice was unique. In today's world she would be lauded, but then she was the object of a lot of gossip. Her poor dad must have just been pulling his hair out. I have a daughter just like this, and while we celebrate her adventurous spirit, it can be quite irritating at times. Overall this book was quite entertaining, which was I believe the intent of the book, that and celebrating the unique nature of this young lady.

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LibraryThing member APoteet

Teddy Roosevelt thinks he can either run the country, or handle Alice, but not both. The first daughter of the president proved to be independent, contrary to mores of her day, and lots of fun.

LibraryThing member Chandra672

Another great book to introduce to students when doing a genre unit on biographies or unit on presidents. The story of Alice Roosevelt's life was shocking, and will have students giggling.

LibraryThing member allawishus

This is an awesome children's book; the illustrations convey the liveliness of their subject. Alice herself is not someone I've ever read about and was not terribly interested in - this book made me interested in learning more about her! Alice is very sassy and charming.

LibraryThing member ShellyCBuchanan

This is the story of amazing Alice, Teddy Roosevelt's irrepressible daughter. She would not be tamed, ever. As a young girl she ran roughshod through the White House, refused to go to school, joined an all-boys club , to name just a few of her antics. As she grew up, this extroverted,

pushing-the-limits-of-convention behvior simply never let up. Alice wowed the world and the tabloids with her exploits. all were not frivolous, however. She become one of her father's trusted advisors, in fact.

The deligthfully active illustrations that run off the pages in all directions lends a quality of energy to match that of the effervesecent Alice. The reader can't help but be pulled into her rollicking ride through life.

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LibraryThing member sharonstrickland

Loved the book. Shows Alice, the title character as a delightful, independant young lady with a zest for life as she goes from one adventure to the next and sometimes some schooling inbetween, although in an unconventional manner. She drives her father crazy with the way she does things but her

personality endears her to the public.

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LibraryThing member lauraloftin

Great informational text about Alice Roosevelt, Daughter of Teddy Roosevelt, who broke common rules of society and was the center of attention. Has great bio information at the end, as well. Great Pictures, very interesting and engaging! Great book!

LibraryThing member Cra71

This book was wonderful! It had amazing illustrations that captivated me as a reader and presented information in a very interesting fashion. It is a wonderful informational text for young readers, but can certainly be enjoyed by anyone!

LibraryThing member jillclark

GREAT BOOK! I loved it. I would recommend this book to any young girl because any young girl would be about to relate to it. It has beautiful illustrations as well. Alice is definitely a story that needs to be shared!

LibraryThing member misstribb

This was a great and informational book about Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of Teddy Roosevelt. This book was full of information that would be useful for a report or biographical information, but it also contained very interesting information about Alice. I would reccomend this book to anyone. It

was very interesting!

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LibraryThing member lmaddux

Alice a fun girl who became very important in politics, show student's that even though you are the presidents kid still have fun! read when talking about theodore roosevelt. If you were the child of the president what would you do? discuss - buy

LibraryThing member tlcalderon4

This historical book chronicles the life of Alice Roosevelt, daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. With her insatiable thirst for life, and her knack for breaking down social conventions, her life was full of adventure, often to the chagrin of her father. The book offers a glimpse of what its

like to live under the microscope of the press, as well as other aspects of growing up in a presidential family.

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LibraryThing member alexa.kirk

When learning about political figures in history class or in school you don't learn much about their families. This book is a fun way for children to relate with the politicians, through their family. Alice was a fun spirit who didn't let oppressive conventions from achieving her goals.

LibraryThing member MDees

This is not a typical story about a President’s daughter. This is a story about Alice, the daughter of Teddy Roosevelt, who was also a President of the United States. Alice Roosevelt was a charming, adventurous girl. She never did things just because everyone else did. She left her mark

everywhere she went. She became a goodwill ambassador for her father and the United States. Her outrageous antics drew media attention, yet all who came in contact with her could not resist her.

This is a fun story. I had never read about Alice Roosevelt before, but it has inspired me to learn more. She never let anyone tell her she could not do something. The style of the story is fun, but is interspersed with “live” history.

I would use this book when teaching about Presidential history and remind the students that presidents have families while leading our country. I would also use this book to teach about women’s rights and how times have changed. Even though we may still have far to go with equality, we have come a long way.

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LibraryThing member jresner

This is a very informative and fun book. The illustrations are entertaining and it gives a great description of the story of Alice Roosevelt's life. It is a biography of Alice's life.

LibraryThing member MaryMK

Summary:

A biography about Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. Alice did not have a typical childhood, and this book tells her story of growing up with her father after her mother died with her step-mother and new siblings. The book focuses on Alice's experiences from her

pet snake, to leg braces, to home studies, to world travels, and eventual marriage. While most students will learn about President Theodore Roosevelt, this book allows us to learn more about his family and relate to him as a father figure too.

Personal Reaction:

Alice sounds like a very exciting young lady who was quite mischievous. Learning about Alice Roosevelt in this book is like reading about a girl I might know in real life. It is exciting to learn about her adventures keeping in mind she was also the President's daughter.

Classroom Extensions:

1 - Alice had a pet snake named "Emily Spinach" - after learning about Alice's pet, students can draw their own pet and write about their pet's name explaining how their pet got it's name. If they do not have a pet, they can draw and name the pet they would like to have.

2 - Alice liked to travel. Using a map as a reference tool, students can plan Alice's next trip and decide what she will pack in her "two large hatboxes, four trunks, oodles of boxes and bags." A travel station with hatboxes, (cardboard) trunks, and oodles of boxes and bags can be arranged for student inspiration in the classroom. This story could be paired with other books about people (children) who traveled around the world, to add an additional dimension of geography lessons to the curriculum.

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LibraryThing member LeighAnneJensen

This little story offers an exceptional introduction to Alice Roosevelt - Theodore Roosevelt's oldest child. She was a feisty child, very sure of herself and what she wanted from life. She also seemed very sure that what she wanted was not a bad thing, no matter who told her otherwise. While the

illustrations are not the strongest I've ever seen, the clear, concise wording makes the story approachable to very young readers.

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LibraryThing member matthewbloome

This is a fun story that's a great read for the biography shelf. It's a good book to read if you're looking for some strong women to include in your women's liberation unit. I really liked this one and it connects to presidential families as well.

LibraryThing member tzarate

What to do about Alice is about the story of Presidents Roosevelt's daughter and how many crazy things she did while he was president, something that would drive the president crazy and always thinking about what he could do about her.

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