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    My Word, Theodore!

    How Books, Writing, and Reading Saved Theodore Roosevelt

    Author Kate Hannigan
    Illustrated by Stacy Innerst
    Ebook
    Astra Publishing House | Calkins Creek
    On sale Nov 24, 2026 | 40 Pages | 9781662680625
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    The true story of how reading and writing saved Theodore Roosevelt—both literally and figuratively—throughout his life.

    This nonfiction picture book for kids ages 7–10 celebrates the joys of reading and writing.

    President Theodore Roosevelt was an outdoorsman, an adventurer, a traveler… and a bookworm.

    As a small child who was often ill, young Theodore found that books let him leave his bed and travel the world—galloping across prairies and sailing on high seas. Books taught him about the natural world and its wondrous plants and animals. And they inspired him to build up his strength so he could see those wonders in real life. Reading books comforted Theodore when tragedy struck, and writing gave him an outlet for his feelings. He wrote, and he wrote: about his own life, about history, and about science. One of his writings— a long speech tucked in his breast pocket—even saved his life when it stopped a bullet intended for his heart!

    Author Kate Hannigan and illustrator Stacy Innerst introduce children to America’s bookworm president in this inspiring story of how reading can change the course of a person’s life.
    © Erielle Bakkum Photography
    Kate Hannigan is the author of several children’s books, including A Lady Has the Floor, which received four starred reviews; Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine, a 2024 NSTA-CBC Best STEM Book; and Nellie vs. Elizabeth, one of Smithsonian Magazine's Ten Best Children’s Books. Kate’s other books have also made the 2022 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List, the 2023 Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, and were nominated for the 2023 Illinois Bluestem Award, among many other honors. Her most recent titles are Rachel Carson’s Wonder-Filled World, Louisa Learns to Write, and My Word, Theodore!. Kate lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her family and dog. Visit katesbooks.com View titles by Kate Hannigan
    © Michael Santiago
    Painter and educator Stacy Innerst is the illustrator of The Book Rescuer, winner of the Sydney Taylor Award; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of RBG vs. Inequality, which received the New York Times/NYPL Best Illustrated Children's Books Award; and The Music in George’s Head, which received the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration. His most recent Calkins Creek books include The Painter and the President, Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony, What Louis Brandeis Knows, Piece by Piece, and My Word, Theodore!. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Visit stacyinnerst.com View titles by Stacy Innerst

    About

    The true story of how reading and writing saved Theodore Roosevelt—both literally and figuratively—throughout his life.

    This nonfiction picture book for kids ages 7–10 celebrates the joys of reading and writing.

    President Theodore Roosevelt was an outdoorsman, an adventurer, a traveler… and a bookworm.

    As a small child who was often ill, young Theodore found that books let him leave his bed and travel the world—galloping across prairies and sailing on high seas. Books taught him about the natural world and its wondrous plants and animals. And they inspired him to build up his strength so he could see those wonders in real life. Reading books comforted Theodore when tragedy struck, and writing gave him an outlet for his feelings. He wrote, and he wrote: about his own life, about history, and about science. One of his writings— a long speech tucked in his breast pocket—even saved his life when it stopped a bullet intended for his heart!

    Author Kate Hannigan and illustrator Stacy Innerst introduce children to America’s bookworm president in this inspiring story of how reading can change the course of a person’s life.

    Author

    © Erielle Bakkum Photography
    Kate Hannigan is the author of several children’s books, including A Lady Has the Floor, which received four starred reviews; Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine, a 2024 NSTA-CBC Best STEM Book; and Nellie vs. Elizabeth, one of Smithsonian Magazine's Ten Best Children’s Books. Kate’s other books have also made the 2022 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List, the 2023 Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, and were nominated for the 2023 Illinois Bluestem Award, among many other honors. Her most recent titles are Rachel Carson’s Wonder-Filled World, Louisa Learns to Write, and My Word, Theodore!. Kate lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her family and dog. Visit katesbooks.com View titles by Kate Hannigan
    © Michael Santiago
    Painter and educator Stacy Innerst is the illustrator of The Book Rescuer, winner of the Sydney Taylor Award; Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The Case of RBG vs. Inequality, which received the New York Times/NYPL Best Illustrated Children's Books Award; and The Music in George’s Head, which received the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration. His most recent Calkins Creek books include The Painter and the President, Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony, What Louis Brandeis Knows, Piece by Piece, and My Word, Theodore!. He lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Visit stacyinnerst.com View titles by Stacy Innerst

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