Meet Al-oise

By Melissa August, Harriet Barovick, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Andrew Goldstein, Tam Gray, Lina Lofaro, Desa Philadelphia and Chris Taylor

Al Gore's childhood is the stuff of classics. Specifically, the children's classic Eloise, by Kay Thompson. Both Al and Eloise lived in a hotel, both were born in the late '40s, both had busy parents, both have had to wage wars on boredom. And this month, the Eloise licensing campaign heats up with dolls, furniture and collectibles. How the two kids match up:

HOME

[Eloise] A top-floor suite at the luxurious Plaza Hotel in New York City

[Al Gore] A top-floor suite at "Washington's Family Hotel," the Fairfax, now the Westin-Fairfax, in Washington

ROUTINE

[Eloise] Orders breakfast from room service, then scurries around the hotel

[Al Gore] Eats a breakfast prepared either by his mother or the hotel's restaurant staff, then scurries out the door to school

YOUTHFUL HIGH JINKS

[Eloise] Thinks about pouring a pitcher of water down the mail chute

[Al Gore] Dropped water balloons on limousines from hotel roof, a trick he learned from his older sister Nancy

REPORT CARD

[Eloise] Her private tutor can't wait to leave each day because of her lack of concentration and impudence

[Al Gore] Fifth-grade science teacher Alexander Haslam recalls his asking on a trip, "Sir, is this the time to be rowdy?"

SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

[Eloise] Helps the busboys and waiters set up the Crystal Room and goes to all the weddings in the White and Gold Room

[Al Gore] When Nancy and a friend call Marlon Brando on the telephone, giggle and hang up, Al warns, "I'm telling. I'm telling. I'm telling Dad."

IMPRESSION ON OTHERS

[Eloise] A "brazen, loose-limbed little monster." --Maurice Sendak

[Al Gore] "...as straight arrow as he could be." --Childhood friend Barbara Howar

PERSONAL MANDATE

[Eloise] "Getting bored is not allowed."

[Al Gore] Wishes people didn't think he was boring

EXPLOITATION

[Eloise] Posed for ads for the Plaza Hotel, inspired a line of clothing, currently has films in development

[Al Gore] Posed for "candid" snaps with his parents during his father's campaigns. Was he inside the Beltway before there was a Beltway?