Books in the Who Was? series

Born into wealth in 1860's London, Beatrix Potter always had a vivid imagination. Her early interests included natural history and archaeology, and Potter delighted in sketching fossils and fungi. Potter wrote and illustrated her well-known book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Peter Rabbit and his animal friends have become cultural touchstones.

He spent twenty seven years in prison and emerged as the inspiring leader of the new South Africa. He became the country's first black president and went on to live his dream of change. This is an important and exciting addition to the Who was...? Series.

Everyone has heard of Albert Einstein but what exactly did he do? How much do kids really know about Albert Einstein besides the funny hair and genius label? For instance, do they know that he was expelled from school as a kid?

In this exciting new WHO WAS...? Biography, children will learn of Christopher Columbus' early life at sea, which led him to seek fortune by sailing west in hopes of creating new trade routes with the Indies. Readers will learn why he called himself the "Great Admiral of the Seas" and learn of his struggles to find financial support for his voyage.

Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name. A name that is synonymous with scientific achievement. Born in Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era's great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope with which he was able to observe the heavens.

Did you know that Bell''s amazing invention--the telephone--stemmed from his work on teaching the deaf? Both his mother and wife were deaf. Or, did you know that in later years he refused to have a telephone in his study? Bell''s story will fascinate young readers interested in the early history of modern technology!

How did an Irish schoolboy become the lead singer of a world-famous rock band and the founder of several humanitarian groups? Track Bono's rise to fame in this exciting addition to the Who Was? series.