If you’re a parent or educator of a young reader, you’ve likely seen the library shelves filled with the friendly, big-headed caricatures of the Who Was? series. But as your collection grows, you might notice other titles popping up: the where was books. These companions shift the focus from famous figures to the iconic places and pivotal events that shaped history, answering a different but equally important set of questions for curious minds.
So, what exactly are these books, and how do they fit into the larger Who HQ universe? They are the next step in your child’s journey, expanding their understanding from the person to the place and the moment.
At a Glance: What to Know About the “Where Was?” Series
- Focus: The series explores significant historical events (Where Was the Battle of Gettysburg?) and world-famous locations (Where Is the Grand Canyon?).
- Connection: It’s a direct spin-off of the Who Was? biography series, published by the same team at Who HQ and sharing the same recognizable format.
- Purpose: These books provide crucial context, helping kids understand the environments and situations that influenced historical figures.
- Audience: Written for the same 8-to-12-year-old audience, with accessible language and engaging illustrations.
- Format: Each book is a compact, ~112-page chapter book with black-and-white drawings, maps, and timelines.
From People to Places: The “Where Was?” Series Explained
The genius of the Who Was? series lies in its simple, biographical focus. Each book tackles the life of one influential person, from Albert Einstein to Marie Curie. However, no person exists in a vacuum. Their stories are intrinsically linked to the places they lived and the events they experienced. That’s where the where was books come in.
Published under the same Who HQ umbrella by Penguin Workshop, this series broadens the lens. It takes the same successful formula—digestible chapters, engaging narrative, and helpful illustrations—and applies it to geography and history. While the original series answers the question of “who,” as we detail in Our Who Was series guide, the where was books tackle the pivotal places and events that shaped those figures’ lives.
These books are generally categorized by their titles:
- “Where Is…” books typically focus on a physical place, like Where Is the Eiffel Tower? or Where Is the Mississippi River?.
- “Where Was…” books usually cover a specific historical event that is tied to a location, such as Where Was the Titanic? or Where Was the Boston Tea Party?.
Together, they build a richer, more interconnected understanding of the world.
What Makes a “Where Was?” Book a Must-Read?
If your child already loves the biographies, adding the location- and event-based books is a natural next step. They aren’t just more of the same; they offer a different dimension of learning that makes the entire Who HQ universe more powerful.
It Brings Geography and History to Life
A textbook might show you a map of the Nile River, but Where Is the Nile? tells the story of the civilizations that rose and fell on its banks. It explains how the annual floods created fertile land for farming, why it was a highway for trade, and its role in ancient Egyptian religion.
Instead of just names and dates, these books weave a narrative around a place or event. Readers learn why the Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, not just that it happened. This storytelling approach makes complex historical and geographical concepts stick.
It Provides Crucial Context for the Biographies
Reading about a historical figure is one thing; understanding their world is another. The where was books provide that essential backdrop.
Case Snippet: A student reads Who Was Abraham Lincoln? and learns about his leadership during the Civil War. It’s a great introduction. But when they pair it with Where Was the Battle of Gettysburg?, they suddenly understand the stakes of the war on a visceral level. They learn about the battlefield strategies, the immense human cost, and why Lincoln’s subsequent Gettysburg Address was so profound. The biography becomes richer, and the historical event gains a human face.
It Maintains the Engaging, Accessible Format
Parents and educators trust the Who Was? format because it works. The good news is that the where was books don’t change the formula. Readers can expect the same key features:
- Consistent Length: Around 100-112 pages, perfect for a few nights of reading.
- Engaging Illustrations: Plentiful black-and-white drawings and maps break up the text and help visualize the setting.
- Informative Sidebars: Quick callouts offer fascinating tidbits, like “What is a glacier?” in Where Is Antarctica? or a profile of a key general in a battle book.
- Helpful Timelines: Two timelines—one of the location/event and one of the wider world—help kids place everything in historical context.
This consistency makes it easy for kids to jump between the different series without feeling lost. They know exactly what to expect.
A Practical Playbook: Integrating “Where Was?” Books Into Your Child’s Reading
The real magic happens when you start combining the different series. By strategically pairing books, you can create a curriculum-level learning experience that feels like fun. Here’s how to do it.
1. Create Thematic Reading Pairs
Connect a person with a place or event that defined their life. This “buddy system” approach creates powerful connections and reinforces learning.
| Biography (Who Was?) | Paired with (Where/What Was?) | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Who Was William Shakespeare? | Where Is the Globe Theatre? | Connects the world’s most famous playwright to the iconic stage where his masterpieces came to life. |
| Who Was Neil Armstrong? | Where Is Our Solar System? | Expands the story of the first man on the moon to the cosmic neighborhood he explored. |
| Who Were the Wright Brothers? | What Was the First Airplane? | Pairs the inventors with the invention itself, exploring the technical and historical impact of their work. |
| Who Was Queen Elizabeth? | Where Is the Tower of London? | Links a powerful monarch to a location steeped in royal history, from palace to prison. |
| Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? | What Was the March on Washington? | Provides deep context for one of the most pivotal moments in the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King’s career. |
2. Use Them for Trip Planning (or Armchair Travel)
Planning a family vacation to a national park or a historic city? Grab a Where Is? book about your destination.
- Going to Washington, D.C.? Read Where Is the White House? and Where Is the Lincoln Memorial?. Your kids will arrive feeling like experts, able to point out architectural details and share historical facts.
- Dreaming of an international trip? Explore the world from your couch. Where Is the Great Wall of China? or Where Is the Colosseum? can spark a lifelong interest in world cultures and travel.
3. Connect to the School Curriculum
These books are fantastic supplements for school projects and lessons. When your child’s social studies class starts covering the American Revolution, you can support their learning at home.
Pick up Where Was the Boston Tea Party? and Who Was Paul Revere?. The narrative style can make sense of complex topics that might feel dry in a textbook. It gives them the confidence to participate in class discussions and a solid foundation for their assignments.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Q: Are the “Where Was” books the same reading level as the “Who Was” books?
A: Yes, absolutely. Both series are written for a middle-grade audience, typically ages 8-12. They share a similar Lexile score range, sentence structure, and vocabulary, making them interchangeable for readers comfortable with one series.
Q: What’s the difference between “Where Was,” “What Was,” and “Who Was” books?
A: It’s a simple breakdown of focus:
- Who Was? focuses on the biography of a single person or group (e.g., Who Was Albert Einstein?).
- Where Was/Is? focuses on a historical event tied to a place or a famous landmark (e.g., Where Was the San Francisco Earthquake?, Where Is the Grand Canyon?).
- What Was/Is? focuses on a broader event, invention, or cultural phenomenon (e.g., What Was the Gold Rush?, What Is the World Series?).
Q: Do you have to read the “Who Was” books before starting the “where was books”?
A: Not at all. Each book in the Who HQ library is designed to be a standalone read. A child can pick up Where Is the Amazon? without any prior knowledge and have a complete, satisfying reading experience. The magic is in combining them, but it’s not a requirement.
Q: How many “where was books” are there?
A: The series is continually expanding. Dozens of titles are already available, covering everything from ancient wonders like the pyramids to modern marvels like the International Space Station. New books are released regularly, so there’s always a new place or time to explore.
Your Next Chapter in Historical Adventure
The where was books are more than just a spin-off; they are an essential part of a holistic approach to learning about our world. They teach young readers that history isn’t just a list of famous names—it’s a dynamic story shaped by geography, culture, and specific moments in time.
So, the next time your reader finishes a Who Was? biography, don’t just ask them, “Who’s next?”
Instead, try asking, “Where to next?” The where was books offer a whole new map for their historical adventures, turning curiosity about people into a lifelong passion for the places and moments that defined them.
