Who What Why Series | Christian Biographies for Kids

The Who What Why series of Christian biographies for kids is an exciting journey through history. Christian history books for every library!

Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids

“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” – Psalm 16:3, ESV

Christian History Matters for Our Kids.

History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.

Here’s why:

God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.

Elementary-aged kids need middle grade resources that are fun, a little sassy, and that teach valuable lessons.

The Who What Why Series is the perfect resource to teach your kids about history, while helping them apply biblical truths to their lives today.

Purchase Who What Why Christian Biographies for Kids

Who was Martin Luther? (Who What Why)What was the Gutenberg Bible? (Who What Why)Why did the Reformation Happen? (Who What Why)

Who What Why Series | Endorsements

“Charming, engaging, wholly absorbing! Danika makes Martin Luther come alive for children! Their senses awakened by Danika’s keen understanding of children, they will see, hear, smell, and come deeply to know and appreciate the great German Reformer in fresh new ways—and so will their parents!” Douglas Bond, Author of Luther in Love and numerous other successful books

“Danika Cooley gives us an engaging look into the world of the reformation with her Who, What, Why series. Her readers will find her books entertaining as well as helpful as she introduces them to all the important people, places and events. Throughout this series, children will be able see the hand of God in history.” Linda Finlayson, Author of God’s Timeline and God’s Bible Timeline

The Reformation Church

The Reformation was an important time in both the history of the Christian Church, and in global history.

God used his Word, new technology, and faithful believers to bring people to the truth of Scripture. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Scripture alone is our authority–not the word of councils or popes. We live our lives and do all things to the glory of God alone.

Teach your kids about the Reformation Church with fun narrative and important biblical truth through the Who What Why series from Danika Cooley and Christian Focus Publications.

Who Was Martin Luther?

Martin Luther was a young man who was afraid of a thunderstorm. He was a monk seeking for salvation. He was a reformer who inspired a continent to return to the Word of God. Introduce your 8–11 year olds to this key figure in the Reformation.

Amazon | Thinking Kids Press | Christian Book

Sometimes the people who change the world come from the most unlikely of places. Places like a little town in a little country no one paid much attention to at the time. Often the people who change the course of history are not all that important seeming until you look back and see what it is they really did with their lives.

Who Was Martin Luther?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2021), page 9

What Was the Gutenberg Bible?

Johann Gutenberg invented a world–changing machine that meant people could read God’s Word for themselves. The world could share ideas, discoveries, and news. God’s Word could be quickly, inexpensively and accurately reproduced. Help your 8–11 year–olds discover how the printing press paved the way for the Reformation.

Amazon | Thinking Kids Press | Christian Book

Just fifty years after twelve Death Ships pulled into the harbor in Sicily, and a decade after an English professor secretly translated Latin words into English, a man named after his house defied all odds and created a machine that would spread words across the world like dandelion seeds. The interesting thing about history is it is like a line of dominoes standing on end. Every event is a result of things that happened before. Once things happen, they impact what comes next–just like dominoes knocking each other over.

What Was the Gutenberg Bible?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2021), page 6

Why Did the Reformation Happen?

The Church was following the words of men rather than the Word of God but brave men read God’s Word and were saved from their sins. They fought for truth against the most powerful organizations of the time – the Church and the Crown. Help your 8-11 year olds explore how God’s people changed the Church, Europe and the World. This is the story of how the Church found the gospel and the people heard about Christ.

Amazon | Thinking Kids Press | Christian Book

Lost things, once they are forgotten, can be hard to find again. Have you ever cleaned the back corner of your closet, only to find something you once dearly loved? Maybe it was your favorite shirt and now you are too big to wear it.

Alas–that’s a word which means oh no!–just over five hundred years ago, God’s people lost his Word to us.

Why Did the Reformation Happen?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2021), page 6

Who What Why Series | Media

“If you haven’t yet included Christian history in your curriculum lineup, or even if you have, I have a treat for you. I’m interviewing Danika Cooley today about her new book series Who What Why. She explains why it’s more important than ever to introduce our kids to Christian history.” – Dr. Melanie Wilson, The Homeschool Sanity Show

“In this bonus episode, I share about a great resource for teaching your elementary-aged kids about church history in a fun way.” – Joy Wendling, Playing Faithful Parenting

Who What Why Series | Reviews

“I LOVE the new Who, What, Why? series by Danika Cooley! These are great learning resources leading up to Reformation Day (Oct. 31) or anytime of year! They’re engaging for all ages with rich theology, interesting biographies, and great church history. The illustrations are lovely and I really appreciate the beautiful way the book presents the good news of Jesus Christ. Highly recommend! We left today for a big road trip and my oldest daughter asked to bring them with. ❤️” – Tauna Meyer, Proverbial Homemaker

“If it sounds a little intimidating to teach your kids about something as important as the Reformation, then you’ll love the new Who What Why Series by Danika Cooley. Her books will provide the jumping-off point of great discussions and further study with your 9-11 year olds. The series includes three books that all work together to tell the story of the Reformation.” – Abby Banks, 4 One More

“My favorite thing about these books is her writing style. It feels as if I am listening in as she tells her kids stories. It really feels so sweet and endearing. You can feel a warm affection and silliness from her as the reader. I absolutely love it!” – Joy Wendling, Created to Play

“I absolutely LOVE this series! Not just because it’s written by a fellow Reformed Believer, but the fact that it makes learning about the Reformation easy for kids. It’s a great chapter book for my 7-year-old to read on her own and it’s a great read-aloud for me to read to my 4 and 5-year-olds. I love the fact that we can learn about the Reformation as a family!” – Kimberly Steenbergen, A Family Devoted

“The book Who Was Martin Luther? taught me so much about the man Martin Luther and his life, but also about different events that were happening during his lifetime. It’s a very easy book to read with short chapters and fun illustrations sprinkled throughout. I love the main focus of teaching kids about Christian history and understanding the struggles that Martin Luther went through that led to the Protestant Reformation. I like how Danika didn’t paint Luther as infallible, but as a man who sinned until the day he died, just like all of us do, but was still saved through God’s grace alone, through Jesus Christ.” – Gena Mayo, I Choose Joy (Who Was Martin Luther?)

“I loved this book! I learned a ton of information I didn’t know, and my kids did too. I appreciated how the author brought history to life, connected church and world events, and loaded the pages with action. I highly recommend the book and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. – Katie J. Trent, Grow Your Faith (Who Was Martin Luther?)

“I also love the way Cooley gently and effortlessly points us to the Gospel time and time again using appropriate Scripture. This is especially true as she seeks to correct the poor theology of the church at the time. No one can walk away from this book without hearing the Good News of Jesus.” – Joy Wendling, Created to Play (Who Was Martin Luther?)

“With history and humor, Danika upholds the inerrancy of scripture and presents a simple Gospel message, while telling the story of the life of Martin Luther. A must have for your student’s history library! Excellent!” – Annette Berry Breedlove, In All You Do (Who Was Martin Luther?)

“As a Christian mom who has only more recently been growing in my relationship with Christ and studying the Bible, I’m amazed at what I continue to learn. I’m excited to pass the knowledge to my kids. I hadn’t known or realized the corruption in the church that went on leading up to the Reformation, or many of the other things I learned from this book. …So far, all of Danika’s products I have used have been valuable tools in our homeschool and my personal walk, and I’m looking forward to checking out these other two books in this series.” – Sara Radginski, Blessed Homeschool (Who Was Martin Luther?)

“I was SO excited when I learned about the new Who What Why books from Danika Cooley!! We’re learning all about Martin Luther, the Gutenberg Bible, and the Reformation. Guys, they’re so good!!” – Christine Zell, This Bit of Life

“This book is great as a read-aloud because adults will like it along with the kids you’re reading it to. What will you learn? The Death Ships, Jan Hus, John Wycliffe, the town where Johann Gutenberg lived, who wrote the Bible, different ways paper was made, others who created a similar printing press to Gutenberg’s, scribes, Gutenberg’s loans and how he lost access to his business by going into debt, the Gutenberg Bible, and much more!” – Gena Mayo, I Choose Joy (What Was the Gutenberg Bible?)

“Not just about the Bible, but the man Johann Gutenberg and his life around the invention and perfection of his press. The little trinkets of history intertwined are sure to delight! Great for students and parents alike!” – Annette Berry Breedlove, In All You Do (What Was the Gutenberg Bible?)

“I loved the simplicity of this book. It is packed with interesting information, fun facts, and tons of action to keep your kids (and you) turning pages! It’s perfect for family read alouds or for your middle grade (aged 8-11) student to read on their own. I highly recommend it!” – Katie J. Trent, Grow Your Faith (What Was the Gutenberg Bible?)

“Cooley writes in a way that reminds us God is the hero and he is the one who wanted his Word in the hands of the people. God is the one who put people and events in order for the printing press to come about. God is the one who funded the project. He is the hero, but, as often happens, God chose to use sinful, broken people to do his work.” – Joy Wendling, Created to Play (What Was the Gutenberg Bible?)

“Danika writes, “That’s the whole reason the Reformation happened. The Good News of Jesus Christ was lost and then it was found.” If this is what you want to know, you’ll find it here in Why Did the Reformation Happen? She explains about the 5 Latin phrases of the Protestant Reformation (which lasted over 300 years!): sola Scriptura, solus Christus, sola gratia, sola fide, and soli Deo gloria. We learn about what’s so special and important about the Bible and why we need to read it in our own language. We also learn about who Christ is and why He’s who we need to know.” – Gena Mayo, I Choose Joy (Why Did the Reformation Happen?)

“There is so much church history packed into these fun pages! The information is laid out perfectly for your homeschool studies. It is packed with interesting history, fun facts, and tons of action to keep your kids (and you) turning pages! I loved learning about so many heroes of the faith in a succinct way that flows from page to page. Why Did the Reformation Happen? is perfect for family read alouds or for your middle grade (aged 8-11) student to read on their own. I highly recommend it!” – Katie J. Trent, Grow Your Faith (Why Did the Reformation Happen?)

“I didn’t know so many people had to fight for Christianity. It was really interesting and I loved all the pictures. I liked that the chapters were short and there was more info on things I had already heard about too. I can’t wait to read her other books.” – Kendra Jo (age 8), Grow Your Faith (Why Did the Reformation Happen?)

“I love the way she describes the Five Solas of the Reformation as “Five Slogans” and uses them as an outline for the book. Cooley does such a remarkable job of showing the way God worked through many events and people to draw his people back to himself through his Word.” – Joy Wendling, Created to Play (Why Did the Reformation Happen?)

“An appropriate history lesson for a day like today when mans words are yet again added alongside the Bible and even trusted more than God’s words. Bless your children and your family through a renewed passion for the truths of God and His word!” – Annette Berry Breedlove, In All You Do (Why Did the Reformation Happen?)

“This series comprises brief chapter books geared towards students that are eight to eleven years old. The books are informative but engaging and sometimes humorous. I think that younger students could enjoy them and learn from them through a family read-aloud. …The Who, What, Why series is a significant addition to any protestant family’s library. It can be used for teaching church history, geography, family read-aloud, and literature studies. If, like many adults, you feel you need to learn more about the Reformation and church history, you can learn right alongside your children.” – Dawn Peluso, Schoolin’ Swag

“Danika’s writing is delightful, and kids will love all the sprinkled-in fun facts. I enjoyed the illustrations and helpful timeline at the end of the book. I love the way Danika has shared the Gospel in all three books in this series.” – Amanda Miller, Pastor’s Wife, Missionary, Mother of Four

Continue the Learning

You and your child will study:

The impact of Martin Luther, the Gutenberg Bible, and the Reformation on the Reformation world, on the Church, and on your child’s world.
The Reformation world. Your child will learn about what it was like to live during the time of the Reformation.
The people involved in each Christian history story.
Reformation vocabulary.
The timeline of each story.
The geography of each Reformation story.
Theology: The five Solas, Ephesians 2:1-10, and Isaiah 55:10-11.