April 1, 2016
Gr 2-4-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.
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
December 1, 2015
Grades K-3 Just the facts is not Cub Reporter's style. In the Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans series, a young bear journalist interviews history-changing Americans. While he does ask about their childhood and background, his questions focus on each person's greatest accomplishments. Refreshingly, the questions are individualized rather than fitting into a cookie-cutter mold. Responses are given in a fictionalized first-person account, but the setup is clear. In Amelia Earhart, the aviator highlights her record-breaking flights, how she prepared for them, why they were dangerous, and how flying was different in the past. Because of the interview technique, readers will have to refer to the time line to learn about the end of these Americans' lives. A terrific alternative to traditional biographies.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2016
Cub Reporter "interviews" American figures who overcame challenges to achieve their goals. Each subject responds to simplistic questions about his or her complicated life (e.g., "What did you think about being a slave?" in Douglass) in a hokey first-person voice. Cartoons of a microphone-holding bear cub alternate with captioned photos or illustrations that extend information. The premise may work for reluctant readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.
(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)