Young Teddy Roosevelt

Rating:
Summary: The story of a young boy who grows up to be President
Review: "Young Teddy Roosevelt," another excellent National Geographic Society volume for young readers, is not just about the story the childhood of Theodore Roosevelt. Actually, less than half the book is devoted to TR's boyhood years. At the end of the book Roosevelt takes the oath of office following the death of William McKinley and became the youngest man ever to become President of the United States (if you are saying "Wait a minute" at this point, let me add that John Kennedy was the youngest person elected President). The point of Cheryl Harness's text and pictures is to answer the eternal question "What kind of kid grows up to become President?" Harness tells the story of how a weak, asthmatic child grew up to lead the Rough Riders, be elected Governor of New York, and nominated as Vice-President.

The emphasis of "Young Teddy Roosevelt" is on biographical details rather than on political philosophy, so young readers will not really get a full appreciation of TR's trademark progressivism. His work as a reformer is touched upon as a young legislator in the New York State Assembly, and seen in his stalking the streets of New York City as the police commissioner and working for a stronger fleet as assistant secretary of the Navy. However, young readers will certainly get a sense of the exciting life that TR led before he entered the White House. The artwork is pretty detailed (look at the end panel of TR's desk when he is assistant secretary of the Navy) and it is easy to appreciate the effort put in by someone who did both the text and the illustrations. By the end of "Young Teddy Roosevelt" Harness has achieved her goal of showing that TR was "way more than glasses and a grin."

Rating:
Summary: The story of a young boy who grows up to be President
Review: "Young Teddy Roosevelt," another excellent National Geographic Society volume for young readers, is not just about the story the childhood of Theodore Roosevelt. Actually, less than half the book is devoted to TR's boyhood years. At the end of the book Roosevelt takes the oath of office following the death of William McKinley and became the youngest man ever to become President of the United States (if you are saying "Wait a minute" at this point, let me add that John Kennedy was the youngest person elected President). The point of Cheryl Harness's text and pictures is to answer the eternal question "What kind of kid grows up to become President?" Harness tells the story of how a weak, asthmatic child grew up to lead the Rough Riders, be elected Governor of New York, and nominated as Vice-President.

The emphasis of "Young Teddy Roosevelt" is on biographical details rather than on political philosophy, so young readers will not really get a full appreciation of TR's trademark progressivism. His work as a reformer is touched upon as a young legislator in the New York State Assembly, and seen in his stalking the streets of New York City as the police commissioner and working for a stronger fleet as assistant secretary of the Navy. However, young readers will certainly get a sense of the exciting life that TR led before he entered the White House. The artwork is pretty detailed (look at the end panel of TR's desk when he is assistant secretary of the Navy) and it is easy to appreciate the effort put in by someone who did both the text and the illustrations. By the end of "Young Teddy Roosevelt" Harness has achieved her goal of showing that TR was "way more than glasses and a grin."

Rating:
Summary: A historical biography that children can appreciate.
Review: After scaling down adult historical books to kids' level, it was wonderful to have a beautifully illustrated book that taught something other than dry facts. Cheryl Harness seems to have a knack for history and making the characters feel real and everyday to children. This book in particular was empowering in the manner it dealt with Teddy Roosevelt's overcoming of asthma to continue his nature studies and become a fine soldier and leader as well. His strength and perserverence to become strong and healthy is a real mental lift for any child, but especially appealing to those that suffer from asthma or another illness.