Staring at the seemingly endless wall of black-and-white illustrated covers of the Who Was book collection can feel both thrilling and overwhelming. With over 250 titles and growing, it’s a treasure trove of history’s most compelling figures. But for parents, educators, and young readers, the biggest question is often: where do you even begin? This isn’t just about picking a book; it’s about curating a journey through history, one incredible story at a time.
This guide moves beyond a simple book list. We’ll break down how to navigate this massive collection, choose the right books for your reader’s specific interests, and use these biographies to spark a genuine, lasting love for history.
At a Glance: Building Your Collection
- Navigate the Universe: Understand the different categories within the main Who Was? series and its popular spin-offs, What Was? and Where Is?.
- Choose with Purpose: Discover a framework for selecting books based on a child’s age, interests, and reading level, ensuring the first pick is a home run.
- Curate Themed Sets: Learn how to group books to create mini-libraries focused on specific themes like STEM innovators, artists, or social justice leaders.
- Handle Complex Topics: Get practical tips for discussing the more serious subjects and historical contexts covered in some of the biographies.
- Start Smart: Use a simple, step-by-step plan to begin building a meaningful and engaging Who Was book collection today.
Deconstructing the Collection: More Than Just Biographies
The Who Was series, published by Penguin Workshop, has become a staple in children’s nonfiction for a reason. Its success lies in its simple, repeatable formula: accessible text, charming illustrations, and a focus on the human story behind the historical icon. But to truly leverage the collection, you need to understand its structure.
The series tells the “incredible stories of trailblazers, legends, innovators, and creators.” This isn’t just hyperbole; the catalog is intentionally diverse. The breadth of subjects is what makes the series so powerful. For a complete overview of the educational mission behind the books, it’s helpful to understand more About the Who Was series and how it frames history for young minds.
The collection can be broadly organized into several key categories, which often overlap:
- Scientists and Innovators: Figures who changed our understanding of the world. Think Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Steve Jobs, and Jane Goodall. These books are fantastic for budding STEM enthusiasts.
- Artists, Writers, and Entertainers: The creative minds who shaped culture. This includes everyone from Leonardo da Vinci and William Shakespeare to Dr. Seuss and Walt Disney. They connect history to the art and media kids already love.
- World Leaders and Political Activists: Individuals who fought for change and led nations. You’ll find presidents like Abraham Lincoln, activists like Martin Luther King Jr., and queens like Queen Elizabeth I. These stories often introduce complex themes of justice, governance, and human rights.
- Athletes and Adventurers: People who pushed the limits of human ability. From Jackie Robinson breaking barriers in baseball to Amelia Earhart soaring across the sky, these tales of perseverance and courage are incredibly inspiring.
Don’t Forget the Spin-Offs
A common point of confusion is how the spin-off series fit in. Think of them as providing the setting and plot for the characters introduced in the main Who Was book collection.
| Series Name | Focus | Example | How It Adds Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Was? | People | Who Was Rosa Parks? | Introduces the key figures of history. |
| What Was? | Events | What Was the Civil Rights Movement? | Provides crucial context for the figures’ actions. |
| Where Is? | Places | Where Is the White House? | Grounds historical events in real-world locations. |
| Pairing these books together creates a much richer learning experience. Reading Who Was Abraham Lincoln? alongside What Was the Civil War? and Where Is the White House? transforms a single biography into a multi-dimensional history lesson. |
How to Choose Your First ‘Who Was?’ Adventure
The secret to a successful Who Was experience is ensuring the first book is a perfect match. A well-chosen book can ignite a passion for reading and history; a poorly chosen one can end up collecting dust. Use this interest-driven approach to find the right starting point.
Instead of browsing aimlessly, think like a detective and look for clues in your reader’s current obsessions.
For the STEM Enthusiast
Does your child love building with LEGOs, gazing at the stars, or asking “how does it work?”
- Start with: Who Was Steve Jobs?, Who Was Isaac Newton?, or Who Was Jane Goodall?
- Why it works: These books connect the abstract concepts of science and technology to a real person’s life, showing how curiosity and determination can lead to world-changing discoveries.
- Next step: Follow up with Who Is Bill Gates? to explore the world of computing, or Who Was Neil Armstrong? to venture into space exploration.
For the Creative Soul
Is your reader always drawing, writing stories, or putting on performances?
- Start with: Who Was Dr. Seuss?, Who Was Frida Kahlo?, or Who Was Walt Disney?
- Why it works: These biographies reveal the often messy, always fascinating creative process. They show that even the most celebrated artists faced challenges, doubts, and failures on their way to success.
- Next step: Branch out to Who Was William Shakespeare? for a classic, or explore the world of music with Who Were the Beatles?.
For the Aspiring Activist
Is your child passionate about fairness, equality, and making the world a better place?
- Start with: Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?, Who Was Harriet Tubman?, or Who Is Malala Yousafzai?
- Why it works: These powerful stories introduce the concepts of social justice and civil rights through the lives of incredibly brave individuals. They provide historical context for many of the issues society still faces today.
- Pro Tip: Be prepared to discuss sensitive topics. The story of Harriet Tubman, for example, is inseparable from the brutality of slavery. Use the book as a starting point for an open and honest conversation.
Building a Themed Mini-Library from the Collection
Once you have a few books under your belt, you can move from single selections to thoughtful curation. Building themed sets is a powerful way to deepen understanding and show how different historical figures and events are interconnected. Think of yourself as a museum curator for your child’s bookshelf.
Here are a few sample “exhibits” you could build from the Who Was book collection.
Theme 1: American Civil Rights Leaders
This collection shows that the fight for equality was a multi-generational effort involving many brave individuals.
- Who Was Harriet Tubman? (The Conductor on the Underground Railroad)
- Who Was Frederick Douglass? (The Abolitionist Orator)
- Who Was Rosa Parks? (The Spark of the Montgomery Bus Boycott)
- Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? (The Leader of the Movement)
- Context Book: What Was the Civil Rights Movement?
Theme 2: Great Scientific Minds
Explore how scientific knowledge is built over time, with each innovator standing on the shoulders of giants.
- Who Was Isaac Newton? (Laws of Motion and Gravity)
- Who Was Albert Einstein? (Theory of Relativity)
- Who Was Marie Curie? (Pioneering Research on Radioactivity)
- Who Was Stephen Hawking? (Exploring the Cosmos)
- Context Book: What Is the Story of Our Solar System?
Theme 3: Women Who Dared
Showcase inspiring women who broke barriers in fields traditionally dominated by men.
- Who Was Amelia Earhart? (Aviation Pioneer)
- Who Was Jane Goodall? (Primatologist and Conservationist)
- Who Was Sally Ride? (First American Woman in Space)
- Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg? (Supreme Court Justice and Legal Icon)
- Context Book: What Was the Women’s Rights Movement?
Your ‘Who Was’ Collection Starter Kit: A Practical Playbook
Ready to start building? Follow these simple steps to create a collection that grows with your reader.
- Start with Their Spark: The most important step. Don’t start with who you think they should read about. Ask them: If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be? What’s the coolest thing you learned in school this week? Their answers are your starting point.
- Make the First Pick a “Wow”: Use the interest-based guide above to choose one or two books that are almost guaranteed hits. The goal is to create a positive first experience that leaves them asking, “Who can I read about next?”
- Co-Build the Wishlist: Browse the official Who Was? series website together. Let your reader scroll through the covers and pick out figures that intrigue them. This gives them ownership over the collection and turns it into a collaborative project.
- Connect to Current Events or School Curriculum: Is their class studying the American Revolution? Grab Who Was George Washington?. Is the Olympics on TV? Pick up Who Was Jesse Owens?. Connecting the books to real-world events makes history feel immediate and relevant.
- Mix in the “What Was?” and “Where Is?” Books: Once you have a few biographies, start adding the context. If they loved Who Were the Wright Brothers?, add What Was the Hindenburg? to explore a different chapter in aviation history. This layering of knowledge is where deep understanding happens.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Got a question about the Who Was book collection? We’ve got you covered.
Q: Are all the books for the same age range?
A: Officially, the series is targeted at readers aged 8-12. However, the accessible writing style makes them great read-alouds for younger kids (6-7) and still enjoyable for older kids and even adults as quick refreshers. The key variable is the complexity of the subject’s life. The content in Who Was Anne Frank? will naturally require more conversation and emotional maturity to process than Who Was Dr. Seuss?.
Q: How historically accurate are the books?
A: The books are well-researched and strive for accuracy, but they are simplified for a young audience. They focus on the major milestones and character-defining moments of a person’s life. They are not comprehensive, academic biographies, nor are they meant to be. Their goal is to introduce a figure and inspire further curiosity.
Q: Is there a specific order to read them in?
A: Absolutely not! That’s one of the best things about the collection. Each book is a standalone story. Readers can jump from ancient Rome (Who Was Julius Caesar?) to 20th-century Hollywood (Who Was Walt Disney?) without any issue. This freedom allows them to follow their own interests wherever they may lead.
Q: With so many books, how do I keep track of what we have?
A: The official Who Was? website has a complete, printable checklist of all the titles in the series and its spin-offs. This is a fantastic tool for tracking your collection and discovering new books to add to your wishlist. Many families turn it into a fun poster, checking off each book as they read it.
Beyond the Bookshelf
The goal isn’t to own every single title in the Who Was book collection. The true value comes from using these stories as a launchpad. It’s about building a collection of conversations, a library of “what ifs,” and a foundation of historical knowledge.
Each book is an invitation to explore further—to watch a documentary, visit a museum, or read a more in-depth article. The best collections aren’t the biggest ones, but the ones that are read, shared, and used to spark a lifelong journey of discovery. Start with one story, follow your reader’s curiosity, and watch their world expand.
