What to Do About Alice?

What to Do About Alice? chronicles the childhood and young adult years of Alice Roosevelt, daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. The picture book follows Alice's spirited personality and headline-making adventures during her time in the White House. Through text and illustrations, the story presents Alice's resistance to societal expectations for young women in the early 1900s. Her father's famous quote "I can be President of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both" sets the tone for her boundary-pushing escapades. The collaboration between Barbara Kerley's text and Edwin Fotheringham's art captures the energy and boldness of this historical figure. This biographical work explores themes of individuality, father-daughter relationships, and challenging the limitations placed on women in American society.

Readers appreciate the lively portrayal of Alice Roosevelt's rebellious and adventurous spirit, with many noting how the book makes history relatable for children. Parents and teachers comment that Alice serves as both a role model of independence and a conversation starter about appropriate behavior. The illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham receive frequent mention in reviews for their energy and period-appropriate style that captures Alice's personality. Common criticisms include that the book glosses over some of Alice's more controversial actions and that the narrative feels scattered at times. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (190+ ratings) Representative review: "Perfect blend of humor and history. My 7-year-old daughter loves that Alice didn't conform to expectations, though we had good discussions about which of Alice's actions were brave versus just attention-seeking." - Amazon reviewer "The book moves too quickly through events without enough context for young readers" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 Theodore Roosevelt once said of his daughter Alice, "I can either run the country or attend to Alice, but I cannot possibly do both!" 🌟 Author Barbara Kerley extensively researched Alice Roosevelt through personal letters, newspaper articles, and historical documents to accurately capture her vibrant personality. 🌟 Alice Roosevelt kept a pet snake named Emily Spinach and was known to carry it in her purse to social events, much to the shock of Washington society. 🌟 The book received a Sibert Honor award in 2009, recognizing its excellence in informational books for children. 🌟 Alice Roosevelt's signature color was a shade of blue-gray that became known as "Alice Blue," and even inspired a popular song in 1919 called "Alice Blue Gown."