Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

The Who Was? series is the reliable Honda Civic of children's biographies—not flashy, but it gets the job done and rarely disappoints. If your kid is building historical literacy or needs to research a figure for school, these books are a safe bet.

The format is straightforward: short chapters, simple illustrations, factual storytelling. That's both the strength and the limitation. Kids who love information and learning will eat these up. Kids who need more narrative pizzazz might find them a bit dry, though the graphic novel adaptations help with that.

Parents love the clean content, the range of subjects, and the fact that these books actually teach something without feeling like homework. The tiered reading levels are smart—you can start with picture books at 4 and keep going through middle school if your kid is into it.

Bottom line: This is a go-to series for intentional parents who want to introduce history in a low-risk, high-value way. Not groundbreaking, but consistently good.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-12 (chapter books), though picture book versions work for 4-8 with read-aloud support. The graphic novels hit a sweet spot for reluctant readers in upper elementary. Older kids will age out unless they're doing research or have a specific historical interest.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Clean, age-appropriate biographical content with no violence, profanity, or mature themes. Models historical figures' perseverance and achievements in an accessible, respectful way. The tone is educational without being preachy, and the books celebrate human accomplishment across diverse backgrounds.

Imaginative

68

While the books introduce fascinating historical figures and spark curiosity about different time periods, they're ultimately straightforward biographies—factual and informative rather than creative or open-ended. The graphic novel adaptations add visual storytelling appeal, and the content can inspire kids to imagine themselves as changemakers, but the format itself doesn't invite much creative expression or exploration.

Safe

98

Essentially zero safety concerns. Common Sense Media confirms no violence, profanity, or mature content across all formats. The tiered reading levels help parents match books to ability. The companion app has educational quiz content with no ads or social features. Some historical contexts (war, discrimination) may require adult guidance for younger readers, but nothing shocking or inappropriate.

Enriching

88

Strong educational value with accurate, well-researched biographies that build historical literacy and expose kids to diverse figures across science, arts, activism, and leadership. The books contextualize achievements within their time periods, helping kids understand cause and effect. Parents consistently praise the balance of factual depth and accessibility. The series builds knowledge and can inspire kids to think about their own potential impact.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Makes history feel approachable with short chapters, black-and-white illustrations, and age-appropriate language that doesn't talk down to kids
Covers an impressive range of figures—scientists, activists, artists, explorers—with attention to diverse backgrounds and achievements
Tiered formats (picture books, chapter books, graphic novels) let you match reading level and attention span
Strong track record with parents and educators; these are the biographies teachers actually recommend
Can spark genuine curiosity about time periods, inventions, social movements—kids often want to read more about a figure after finishing one book

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What to Watch For

Some historical contexts (slavery, war, discrimination) come up naturally in biographies—younger readers may need adult guidance to process these topics
The straightforward format won't appeal to kids who need more action, humor, or creative storytelling to stay engaged
The companion app's quiz questions can reference less-familiar figures, which may frustrate kids who haven't read those specific books yet

Conversation Starters

"If you could meet one person from your book, what would you ask them?"
"What was happening in the world when this person was alive? How is that different from today?"
"This person faced a lot of challenges—what do you think helped them keep going?"
"If you were going to invent something or change something in the world, what would it be?"

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Who Was series