From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4–In this new series of picture-book biographies, St. George explores the childhood years of presidents, posing the question: "Was there a turning point in their young lives that caused them to change direction and set them on a path that led them to the White House?" Teddy's, readers learn, was the boxing lessons that capped years of sickly health, family journeys to distant climes, and rigorous gym workouts. "By his own strong will, Teedie had at last won the battle for his body." Selected episodes, always emphasizing his enduring asthma problems and fascination with animals, are set in six chapters against double-page gouache paintings. A wooden beginning gives way to some good humor, as "Teedie" assembles his own home wildlife museum. The illustrations create a strong sense of time and place and are peopled by rather comic folk. From middle childhood to late teens, Roosevelt always looks the same, with a large adolescent head atop his thin, energetic body. The moral–persistence overcomes physical weakness–is ever present and relevant to youngsters. The book provides a salient introduction to the boy who would become a colorful president. A final note sketches Roosevelt's adult years. A solid choice for independent readers or for sharing aloud with children.–Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist
Gr. 2-4. In You're on Your Way, Teddy Roosevelt, the first in the new Turning Point Book series, St. George marshals the same lively spirit she used in her Caldecott Medal winner So You Want to Be President? (2000) to tell the story of "Teedie" Roosevelt's childhood. Faulkner's cartoon-style illustrations present the history and the characters from the young boy's viewpoint as St. George describes Roosevelt's triumph over debilitating asthma and his success as an athlete and student. St. George never minimizes Roosevelt's struggle; one particularly memorable picture shows the bespectacled, awkward city weakling being harassed by country bullies. The truth about failure will appeal to kids as much as the gentle message about determination and achievement. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Before Teddy Roosevelt became famous as a statesman, naturalist, colonel in the Spanish-American War, and twenty-sixth president of the United States, he was a young boy called Teedie who had wonderful adventures with his brother and sister and even started a museum in his attic. But he also struggled with terrible asthma. Overcoming his illness was the major battle of his young life . . . and his determination to make himself strong and healthy set the course for his amazing accomplishments to come. First in a planned series of picture storybooks about "turning points" in the lives of the young Presidents, this book is written by the in-comparable author of So You Want to Be President? and whimsically illustrated by Matthew Faulkner.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Before Teddy Roosevelt became famous as a statesman, naturalist,colonel in the Spanish-American War, and twenty-sixth president of the United States, he was a young boy called Teedie who had wonderful adventures with his brother and sister and even started a museum in his attic. But he also struggled with terrible asthma. Overcoming his illness was the major battle of his young life . . . and his determination to make himself strong and healthy set the course for his amazing accomplishments to come.
First in a planned series of picture storybooks about "turning points" in the lives of the young Presidents, this book is written by the in-comparable author of So You Want to Be President? and whimsically illustrated by Matthew Faulkner.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

St. George's (So You Want to Be President?) anecdotal account of Roosevelt's early years launches the Turning Point Book series, spotlighting a pivotal event in the life of a future president. The author explains that as a child (nicknamed "Teedie") the "pale and puny" Roosevelt suffered from asthma and other ailments. In hopes of improving his health, his parents take the family to the country, where Teedie becomes a lifelong nature lover. The boy begins filling his New York City bedroom with living and dead animals, creating a "museum." When Teedie's father tells him that he has "the mind, but not the body," the lad begins working out with weights and later takes up boxing. He goes on to win 14 out of 15 events at a family field day, in the somewhat anticlimactic conclusion, proving that "by his own strong will, Teedie had at last won the battle for his body." Featuring an earth-toned palette, Faulkner's gouache artwork keeps the mood light. A standout spread spotlights Teedie's impeccably dressed Southern belle mom amidst the roguish body-builders at the gym. The conversational narrative includes some odd details (e.g., when the boy was 10, "Papa even gave Teedie coffee to drink and cigars to smoke to help his breathing"), but readers who identify with the young hero's underdog beginnings may well be inspired by his rise to strength and stature. Ages 5-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Cindy L. Carolan

This book is the first in a series of what will most assuredly be treasured storybooks covering turning points in the younger lives of presidents. Readers may wonder, "why is the book referring to the main character as Teedie instead of Teddy?" The answer is that Teedie and his father shared the same first name, but not much else in the way of physical appearances! When readers are introduced to young Teedie, he is a sickly seven year old boy who has asthma, stomach aches and headaches along with frightening nightmares (that often times include a werewolf sitting at the end of his bed), very unlike his strong, healthy father. Teedie's parents spent the majority of his childhood traveling around trying to find an environment that would be conducive to poor Teedie's health. He and his siblings had fabulous times on these globe trotting journeys; Teedie loved animals and the outdoors and even initiated a natural science museum! What brought things together for Teedie was when his father told him that he had the mind (he was an extremely avid reader) but not the body, and it while it was hard drudgery to make one's body, that's what they had to do. Subsequently, he joined a gym and diligently worked at strengthening his body. Visually relevant muted watercolor illustrations set the time and place. This book teaches a wonderful lesson about strengths and weaknesses (mental and physical), courage and perseverance. It would be just as compelling used in a history lesson as in a counselor's lesson. The author is a Caldecott Medal winner and has written over forty children's books. This book is part of the "Turning Point Book" series. Recommended. 2004, Philomel Books/Penguin Young Readers Group,Ages 8 to 12.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 4-In this new series of picture-book biographies, St. George explores the childhood years of presidents, posing the question: "Was there a turning point in their young lives that caused them to change direction and set them on a path that led them to the White House?" Teddy's, readers learn, was the boxing lessons that capped years of sickly health, family journeys to distant climes, and rigorous gym workouts. "By his own strong will, Teedie had at last won the battle for his body." Selected episodes, always emphasizing his enduring asthma problems and fascination with animals, are set in six chapters against double-page gouache paintings. A wooden beginning gives way to some good humor, as "Teedie" assembles his own home wildlife museum. The illustrations create a strong sense of time and place and are peopled by rather comic folk. From middle childhood to late teens, Roosevelt always looks the same, with a large adolescent head atop his thin, energetic body. The moral-persistence overcomes physical weakness-is ever present and relevant to youngsters. The book provides a salient introduction to the boy who would become a colorful president. A final note sketches Roosevelt's adult years. A solid choice for independent readers or for sharing aloud with children.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews