Oh, Alice!

What to do About Alice,? by Barbara Kerley tells the story of Alice Lee Roosevelt, who was the first daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife, who died shortly after Alice was born. I never knew anything about Alice’s life and was fascinated by her personality and character. She was constantly in the public eye because of her lifestyle. Most of the public loved her and adoringly referred to her as “Princess Alice.” She refused to behave as was expected of a lady, and many people thought her behavior “outrageous.” She was very intelligent and had a mind for politics like her father. She was very active during her father’s presidency and continued to be throughout her life. She didn’t follow the “rules,” and her father worried about her often. I think this very trait is what endeared Alice so much to her father. He is quoted as saying, “I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both.” Alice wouldn’t conform to the idea of a lady at that time because she had bigger ideas about politics and helping others. The lesson is “be yourself and stand up for what you believe in!” What a great story for a young girl to hear. This book is a Texas Bluebonnet Nominee.