Former governor writes book about Teddy Roosevelt

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Former Gov. Frank Keating says he hopes the new book he has written about the life of President Theodore Roosevelt inspires children. <br/><br/>The children's book, ``Theodore,''

Monday, January 2nd 2006, 2:44 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Former Gov. Frank Keating says he hopes the new book he has written about the life of President Theodore Roosevelt inspires children.

The children's book, ``Theodore,'' is illustrated by Norman artist Mike Wimmer.

Keating told The Oklahoman in a telephone interview that he wants children to know that ``they can live exciting lives and be like the people they read about.

``The love of children is the portal to writing a children's book,'' said Keating, who dedicated the book to three of his grandchildren. A fourth grandchild was born after the book was finished.

Keating's book tells the story of Roosevelt's life as a frail child who gained strength, courage and leadership and became the nation's youngest president at age 42. Roosevelt died in 1919 at the age of 61.

Wimmer's paintings give depth and personality to the 26th president.

Keating met Wimmer a few years ago when the artist created a Christmas card for the state. The two became friends and worked together on the children's book, ``Will Rogers: An American Legend.''

Keating said the arrival of his grandchildren made him realize the need for children to learn more about great heroes and role models from American history.

Keating said one quality he admired most about Roosevelt was that ``he never gave up.''

Wimmer said his work is a documentary in art. Every detail matters, he said, because his name is on the cover of the book and he wants to do work he will be proud of 20 or 30 years from now.

``I went to Harvard to do research about Roosevelt, to New York City, and Oyster Bay (Roosevelt's home on Long Island), to surround myself with information,'' Wimmer said. ``This book is about someone who really lived, and the imagery has to be factual.''