"A whimsical approach to biographies sure to appeal to young readers. While promoting inquiry-inspired learning, the question-and-answer format also invites confusion by juxtaposing a cartoon with a real person's story that might leave children wondering what's real. Then there's the 'time-difference factor': Cub asks questions in the present tense, and 'respondents,' all dead, answer thus--and compare their lives to today. Finally, a disclaimer in each title concedes the 'interviews' aren't each subject's actual spoken words but comprise accurate, researched facts about his/her life. Younger students won't get the distinction. Other missteps: Earhart's disappearance is mentioned only in her time line; Douglass includes the question 'What did you think about being a slave?'. Still, these overviews give a sense of who these people were and are filled with color and high-quality contemporary photos and other visuals. VERDICT: Despite hiccups, a good introduction to biographies, with Sequoyah, Paul Revere, and Wilma Rudolph the best of the series.

"--School Library Journal, Series Made Simple.