What Is the Story of Doctor Who?

What Is the Story Of?

by Gabriel P. Cooper, Gregory Copeland (Illustrator)

Who HQ brings you the stori e s behind the most beloved characters of our time .

This What Is the Story of? title is out of this universe! Learn the history of the Time Lord, the TARDIS, and the epic battles they've faced across time and space.

When Doctor Who began airing on the BBC in 1963, British audiences were introduced to the rogue Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey. Now, viewers from all over the world are glued to their screens for the mysterious Doctor's intergalactic adventures. But how did this time traveler became such a beloved character? Author Gabriel P. Cooper provides readers with the inside scoop on the Doctor's unique time machine, loyal companions, and diabolical foes. This book, just like the show, is sure to intrigue a new generation of fans.

Genres: Nonfiction, Doctor Who, History, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Time Travel, Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2019

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Whovian, one approaches books with caution: will they get it right? Or will they completely miss the mark? Gabriel P. Cooper and the What Is series got it right.

No spoilers (yes, intentional) in this review. What Is the Story of Doctor Who? is a brilliant (yes, intentional) introduction to the origins of the series and the development of the character. It offers a fantastic (yes, intentional) peek into a few of the things that make Doctor Who unique: timey-wimey, jelly babies, weeping angels, cyberman, daleks! And then GERONIMO (yes, intentional), readers reach the end of this book and are given a bibliography so that the now-hooked new Whovian may read even more and be officially welcomed to the fam (yes, intentional).

[Natalya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering that this book is not that long of a read, it gives a nice overview of Doctor Who from the start of the classic series all the way to the end of Moffat’s era. The illustrations are lovely. If you, like me, have been a fan for a long time, you may not learn a bunch of new things, but that didn’t keep me from enjoying this. That said, it does go over some major plot points, so be aware of spoilers if you haven’t finished watching up to the end of Capaldi/Twelve’s seasons.

[M.L. Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good overview of the show’s history from the beginnings all the way to the present day. I learned a lot. It doesn’t cover all the little details of the storylines (I kept adding a lot in my head), but it hit the major points. The drawings are amazing—they look just like the actors/characters.

[Pumkin pie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good, but I think other ones were better.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a pretty big Doctor Who fan myself, and as a reader of these books when they first came out, I would like to say that this hit all the marks.  From its easy to understand language, to drawings, to timelines, to exploration through all doctors and the big milestones, this book was a fantastic book full of information and trivia just made for young Whovians!

Engaging and riveting, even for a longtime fan and adult like me, this book is perfect for the young sci-fi nerd that you know!  Great for grades 3-5.

Review cross-listed here!

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the words of River Song: “Spoilers!” I bought this for my son and had to read it as a long time fan of the show. I’m a little sad I let them read it since there are some MAJOR spoilers in it (if they want to watch the show with me in the future). Still, a great read about the history of one of my favorite shows but if you have never watched the show be warned you will learn some major twists in the series.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Junior Whovians will enjoy this quick book about the origins of the Doctor Who show. Starting from when it was meant to be an educational show to present regeneration of the Doctor, it shows how the audience and the show grew.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The show could travel into the past to view important historical events and...v

"The show could travel into the past to view important historical events and to other worlds where scientific ideas could be explored."

So much has happened in the world of Doctor Who since I started watching with the 8th Doctor. It's hard to keep the adventures straight... and then there's the decades of history that came before I ever tuned in.

This book does a fantastic job of moving through the timeline of Doctor Who, hitting the highlights and significant points, noting how long various Doctors were "on screen", and in the Tardis, giving some basic information about companions... and offering some context about where Doctor Who fell compared to Star Trek, for instance, on TV.

Really glad I gave this a read.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big Whovian (Whovian: A Doctor Who Fan.) so I was astounded by the fact that someone, outside the Doctor Who Community, would have an interest in the book and mix two of my favorite things: The "What Is" series and Doctor Who. After reading the book, and rereading the information that I already knew, it was certain to me that though they didn't cover the little parts, it covered the big ones so the new generation could be interested in the franchise. This book was really nice, and it was a great way to bring the old people some nostalgia and the new ones some history. The book was absolutely fantastic.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little frustrated by how quickly they covered the classic series but I understand that there are just too many episodes to go into too much depth on each. I was just sad about some of the missing things. Once we got into New Who though it was much more fun and I got all warm and fuzzy reliving some of my favorite moments.

If you love Doctor Who I'd say it's worth your time. It is very short. There is no new information but it's always nice (for nerds anyways) to read/hear about something you love from other people's perspectives.

[deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty decent primer about “Doctor Who”, and it includes a couple tidbits even I didn’t know, like the fact the show was originally made to be an educational show for teens and young viewers! There are a couple things that could be tweaked (such as the erroneous statement that Peter Capaldi is a British actor- he’s Scottish) or a bit better explained, but overall solid. LOTS of spoilers though, so heads up in case you want to avoid that.

[Lisa Kizer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a fan of Dr. who so for me this book was confusing at times. Though I do like the concept of a time traveler, I am not a fan of sitting a watching tv. Never been my thing. Any who, I learned things about the Doctor and might try and watch some of the movies based on what I read in this book.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first Doctor to the Thirteenth Doctor. This book has an interesting local-ish tidbit: the first police boxes were built and used in Albany, NY in 1877. “Police officers used them to take breaks, eat lunch, and even temporarily hold prisoners.” (8) Birthday present for myself which I bought at my local grocery store 11/19.

[Lorrie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was excellent! As someone who did not grow up watching the older series. I was glad to have some background on the Doctors I was not as familiar with. Of course when I got to the Doctors who came after the re-boot of the series, I was happy to recall the things I already knew about them and learn some thigs I didn't know.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fan of the series for a long time, I enjoyed rediscovering the history of the series and the actors who succeeded each other in the title role in an easy to read format.
Afterwards, for more details, you should refer to other books.

[Kris Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great telling of the Doctor Who story

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and covers a lot of information while still being interesting.

[Brian Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview of the origin of the tv series, actors, and progress of the character of Dr. Who

[Elizabeth R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little intro, with a decent amount of info...

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a pretty good overview of the show from the beginning to the start of the 13th Doctor's run. Not a lot of nitty gritty detail, but as expected.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use to love Doctor Who and was so glad to read this book about the history of the 50+ years it's been on. Good overview of all of the Doctor's and their time at the helm of the tardis.

[Kristen Murray]

Good intro into the series for kids.

[Mosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect timeline story for child and adult alike.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very basic intro well told

[Yvonne Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun. I didn't know much of this.

[Jess B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll say this much, this book almost made me want to watch Doctor Who. That says a lot for someone who doesn't particularly care for science fiction.

[Claire(✿◠‿◠) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute way to introduce kids into the wonderful world of Doctor who that I was introduced to as a kid. It's one of those worlds that can supply hours of play for children

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent rundown of Doctor Who! I loved reading this to my son.

[Ashley Holbert]

This was a good yet basic background on the show, and I think it’s a great start for kids to read about the show. The illustrations were really good too.