I’m a Youth Services Librarian which means that I mainly work with children ages 0-10. We offer programs for every child within this age group, and this semester I have been teaching a program to kids first grade and up called “Who, What, Where?” This program is based on the popular  “Who Was…” children’s series.

Before I started this program, I enjoyed reading books from the series on slower days at work. The authors of this series write the books in a manner that is fun, but still educational. We have lots of library kids who love the series, as well, which is why I thought it would be a fun program to host.

What is the “Who Was…” series, you may ask?

When this series was first published, it was primarily books about famous people who have had an impact on others or on the world as a whole. There are books on various people such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., and Sacagawea. There are even books about bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Over the last few years, the authors have added books about notable places, such as Macchu Picchu and the Mississippi River, and historic events, such as the Women’s Right Movement and the Underground Railroad.

                                 Photo Credit: https://sjiassociates.com/work/who-hq/.

In my weekly program, I cover the high points of the books. For example, if we are learning about the Underground Railroad, I tell the kids about why the railroad was created, who used it, and who helped along the way. We do an activity that relates to the lesson after everyone has a chance to ask questions.

I teach this program at the library and at the local YMCA’s Afterschool Program. All of the kids who come to the program love learning and they later tell me that they taught their parents about we learned in class the previous week. I do a pop-quiz each week to see who remembers what the last lesson was, and I am always proud when I see lots of hands raised.

Every book in the “Who Was…” series is quite short with pictures and little facts between each chapter. Books like these are small reminders that kids want to learn. The “Who Was…” series is catered to young children who are old enough to learn but aren’t quite ready to know the whole story yet. Some of the kids in my programs ask me questions that are hard to answer sometimes because they are so young. I often have to remind myself that teaching them is what I’m there for.

Whether you are a librarian, a teacher, or a parent, I would recommend this book for you to read to or have available for the children in your life. You may think that some kids aren’t ready, but they never will be until you teach them to be. Education is so important. I’m so glad that the “Who Was…” series exists so that I can help my kids understand a small part of the world.

Until next time- Read something educational!

-Lit Librarian