Who Was Charles Schulz?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Joan Holub, Who H.Q., Tim Foley (Illustrator)

Learn more about the cartoonist who created Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the lovable Peanuts gang in this new addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series! Charles (otherwise known as Sparky) Schulz always loved drawing from the time he was a young child, and as he grew older, he turned this passion into a phenomenally successful career. His early doodles of his mischievous dog and of a shy boy inspired two of his most familiar and beloved characters, Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Here's the story about Peanuts gang and Charles's life that's sure to excite all readers but especially those who love the classic cartoon series.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Childrens, Middle Grade, Chapter Books

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2022

About the author

NY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Was…? biography series for middle grade charms with the story of Charles Schulz – the cartoonist who created the beloved Peanuts gang.

Charles Schulz (1922-2000) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was nicknamed Sparky from childhood.

With no TV back then, he listened to radio programs with his parents. Thus, the characters had to be imagined.

In those times, the comic books were very popular. He always carried a pencil in his pocket and copied comic characters.

After art school and during the Great Depression, he took any job he could. In his spare time, he kept on improving his drawing skills.

After the war, he got a job lettering the words in comic strips, and was also hired to teach at the Art Instruction Schools. His fellow instructors included struggling artists, too, but they learned from one another and helped each other improve.

Then, his work started appearing in a newspaper, and magazine. His characters were relatable and people loved them. By 1955, his Peanuts characters were in one hundred newspapers. By 1958, Peanuts was in 395 newspapers.

Meanwhile, he got married and had children. He had his routine/his work but he also dedicated some time to his children.

In 1962, he published a book which was about the simple pleasure that make people happy. The book became the New York Time best-seller.

Then, the time seemed right to try the Peanuts animated TV special. A Charlie Brown Christmas became a big success and won an Emmy Award. There were many more animated TV specials.

“The only thing I ever wanted to be was a cartoonist. That’s my life. Drawing.” – Charles Schulz

This biography exemplifies a man who lived during a time when imagination had to be used in order to see characters. His life was drawing and that was his driven force throughout his life. He was passionate about what he did, and that took him beyond his imagination, leading to animated movies based on his characters.

This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.

[Rinku · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough how informative this book series is to me. These books not only give information about pivotal figures in history, but it also reveals historical context.


I like many others read the Peanuts comic strip and watched animated holiday specials, fell in love with the characters. I had heard rumors that the characters were based on real people in Charles's life but didn't know who they were and how much input they had on their likeness. I was pleased to read an African American character was added in an effort for inclusion and representation.

I was in awe of many characteristics that Charles had such as perseverance, solid work ethic, a sensitive nature and a perspective about humanity that was simplistic but enduring.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you imagine a world without the Peanuts gang? Me either!

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Schulz may have died 25 years ago, but he lives on in the comic strip Peanuts.

I grew up watching Snoopy specials and reading the comic book compilations. My mom loves to send us cards featuring the Peanuts characters. When I am choosing a GIF to share in a text, I often find myself gravitating to the ones that contain these iconic characters.

So, reading more about Charles Schulz was a treat. Here are five facts that I learned from this book:

🐕The Schulz family had a black-and-white dog named Spike when Charles was a boy. His mother said she would like to name their next dog Snoopy. Unfortunately she died before that could happen.
🧑‍🏫 Before he sold a strip for syndication, Charles (Sparky) was a teacher at Art Instruction Schools --helping artists perfect their craft. Many of his Peanuts characters were inspired by his fellow instructors.
📰 The first Peanuts comic strip appeared in seven newspapers on October 2, 1950. United Feature Syndicate would need the strip to sell to a hundred newspapers to be considered a success. By 1958, her was in 395 newspapers.
🎄 The Charlie Brown Christmas special premiered almost 60 years ago on December 9, 1965. The choice to record actual children's voices, include a jazz soundtrack, and leave off the laugh track were pure Schulz.
⭐ Charles Schulz got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996.

This little bio does such a great job of letting us into the world of a man who shared his many moods through the small squares containing the adventures of the Peanuts. Being a cartoonist was his dream and we are still blessed to enjoy his work.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audio version would be a great companion for children struggling to read. I learned so much new information like his childhood nickname-Sparky. I learned where the names Charlie Brown and Linus came from. He often drew from his life. This would be a good read for Peanut lovers. Lasting only an hour, it's a great in between while a reader is waiting for their next audiobook to queue up.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this fabulous biography on the 100th birthday of this amazing author. I was inspired to listen today because if all the tributes in the paper by other comic strip writers.
Sparky was such an inspiration to so many people. I always enjoyed reading the funny papers as a kid because of him.
This book is a wonderful tribute to him.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love the Peanuts gang. I was curious to know what kind of person came up with all of them. I would never have guessed that many were right out of Charles Schultz’s life. Makes them all the more endearing.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read. Sparky had a very interesting life and was able to follow his dream of becoming a cartoonist. The book shows his progression from drawing characters for his classmates to becoming nationally and internationally syndicated cartoonist. This is well worth the read.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snoopy is one of my most beloved characters of all time, so I loved learning more about the man behind "Peanuts".

Also, I had completely forgotten that he died right when the last comic appeared in newspapers! That still gives me chills.

[Arman Waggoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it. The more I learn about Charles M. Schulz, the more I can relate. I Find him as part of my Inspiration and wished to follow his footsteps as a Cartoonist. I feel like we've would've been good friends.

[raamat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the simple yet interesting autobiographical style of this book! The black and white illustrations are helpful in setting the mood of the time period (1930s & 40s). I learned a lot of new information about Charles Schulz in this fun read! I would read it again!

[Harvey DeFries · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good

[K Morlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative children's book, we enjoyed learning about this

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grew up with the Peanuts comics In the weekly Sunday newspaper.

Wonderful memories.

[Seeker of Truth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I liked the way it walked me through his life and showed me how his love for comics grew. I also loved how it showed me how comics evolved over the years. I thin it’s a good book.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish it had more depth like the others I’ve read.

Over all a true show of tenacity. Also he is a Minnesota legend!

[Grace Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my class to celebrate Charles Schultz and his birthday in November. The kids learned a lot about him from the book and enjoyed hearing his story.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this book explores his personal feelings.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much we didn't know about 'Sparky'!

[John Repplinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read with excellent biographical info about world famous cartoonist. There was plenty of details about how Peanuts, Charlie Brown, and friends were ultimately created.

[David Rough · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, concise bio of the man who created Peanuts.

[Tommy Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. It’s cool to see how Charles became the creator of Peanuts

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always knew from his characters, I would like the man!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a complete crybaby! I lost count of how many times I wiped my eyes and face reading his life story. Out of all the struggles Sparky went through in his lifetime, his mom dying and him being drafted into the army at the same time was something I would definitely consider a double whammy!

The illustrations are great!

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so insane how many comics he did.