History lesson

As mentioned in my other book review on Teddy Roosevelt, I didn't know much about the man besides a few of his accomplishments during his presidency. Many of the facts I mentioned in the previous review are facts I also read about in this book, though Teddy's childhood is explored more in this biography. On top of suffering from asthma, Teddy also had frequent stomachaches, headaches, and nightmares. He explored the country-side with his younger brother- Ellie- and his younger sister- Conie. Together, they collected bugs, animals, and plants; Teddy eventually kept these in the Roosevelt family home, which he nicknamed "The Roosevelt Museum of Natural History." His parents eventually took the family on a trip to Europe, where Teddy was given coffee and cigars in a feeble attempt to help his health problems. Back in New York, a doctor recommended that Teddy begin exercising to reduce his asthma, with his mother later suggesting they build a gym in their home so Teddy could exercise whenever he wanted. Later, due to being bullied, Teddy began boxing lessons with an ex-prizefighter; Teddy later described himself as "a painfully slow and awkward pupil," but he managed to win a lightweight boxing match. Still traveling with his family, Teddy at one point learned taxidermy, and mounted more than a hundred birds from Egypt for his museum at home. For the next two years, Teddy worked with a tutor so he would be accepted to Harvard; he studied many subjects, including German, French, Greek, Latin, English, math, and science. He eventually made it to Harvard, where his asthma began to lessen. In the years that followed his graduation from Harvard, he tackled politics, traveling, ranching, soldiering, mountain climbing, conservation, social reforms, and even the presidency. The book ends here, with college-aged Teddy looking up at his older self. I though this book was an enjoyable read, but I wish it would've gone more in-depth into Teddy's adult life. This biography is geared towards the higher end of the K through 3 spectrum, as there is much more text on each page than in the other book I read about Teddy Roosevelt. The book is even separated into "chapters," though they aren't too long. I think this biography would be good for children who already know about Theodore Roosevelt and want to learn more about him before he was president; it would also be a good read for children who have illnesses like asthma, since it shows Teddy overcoming his asthma. The book makes an important statement near the end that I think would resonate with all children, but especially those with chronic illnesses, "But from his first workout in Wood's Gymnasium he had been determined to control his asthma and illnesses rather than letting his asthma and illnesses control him. And he had. On that hot summer day in August he had proved to himself- and everyone else- that he had taken charge of his own life." Despite this great message, I would rather read the other picture book biography on Theodore Roosevelt, as this one just doesn't explore his adulthood as much as I would like. ( )

As a young boy Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt, idolized his father. He suffered from numerous health problems. Teddy’s father refused to let Teddy live a life of a sickling. He would encouraged Teddy to do everything he thought he couldn’t and push his body to limit he would have never attempt. Through the constant every pressing moment of Teddy’s life his father was there to get him through. When Teddy went to college that was the first of many times he would venture off without his father. After college Teddy found himself taking on the world and becoming president.
It is not often we have the ability to get a glimpse of someone’s upbringing. I found this book to be interesting and as a parent inspiring. Teddy’s father did not allow Teddy’s condition discourage him from reaching his full potential. He often pushed him past his own expectations. The teachings his father instilled in him as a child followed him through life and eventually helped him become the President Of The United States. ( )

The story was about young Teddy Roosevelt, also known as Teedie. He was a very skinny boy who struggled with a severe case of asthma. He got really bad headaches as well. He started working out at gyms and started going to boxing gyms. When he was old enough, he made this sporting event where people competed in fifteen different activities. Teedie got first place in fourteen of the events. This proved his progress, and he was finally able to get a little bit of a handle on his asthma. ( )

There are some things that get left out when you think about someone famous: you think about the time they were famous only usually. Teddy Roosevelt lived a hard life with asthma always holding him back. Different enviroments helped his asthma so he was constantly changing the places he lived and visited. His parents always stood behind him with everything he wanted to do and they always made sure they helped him try to overcome asthma. Although he did not overcome it, he worked to make sure his body was healthy by doing activities that helped his lungs expand. He loved being outdoors and playing with his siblings. He collected dead and alive animals and thought he knew everything you could possibly know about animals until he visited a new place and saw many animals he had never seen before. This book is seperated by small chapters that walks you through different parts of Teddy Roosevelt's life. The book does not give much information after he turned seventeen other than him becoming president, but the last page (not part of the actual story) gives you information about his later career. Great book to read when you are learning about presidents and how there childlife was. The illustrator did a great job with the drawings making them look realistic and keeping the readers attention. ( )