Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
Anyone that knows our family knows that we love reviewing books. The foundation of our education is reading, so we're always looking for new and exciting literature to supplement our learning. Over the years, we've added many books by Carole P. Roman to our home library.
Over the last few years, Carole has written over 50 books and won countless awards for her works. Not only is she an accomplished author, she's a generous one, as well. We were able to choose any 4 of her titles. She has various series in her collection from books teaching about cultures and civilizations to bedtime stories to early reader chapter books to books about pirates teaching morals and more. Though they are all charming, we are partial to her If You Were Me series and were excited to read more. We received the following books from Carole P. Roman's assorted series:
If You Were Me and Lived in...Ancient China is one of the first books in the Ancient Civilizations Through Time collection. The books in this series are much more in depth and contain much more information than the Culture series books. Each one places you, the reader, in that location during that time period. This 75+ paperback gives a fantastic description of what it could have been like to live in China in A.D. 150. It explains what it may have been like to live during the Han dynasty when poetry and literature were encouraged and paper and porcelain were created. It explains the importance of the Silk Road and how it impacted the people of China. You learn about various occupations and how people were treated differently because of them, how houses were built and functioned, and what kind of foods were eaten. You'll read about how the family dynamic was greatly respected, about wearing tunics as clothing, how colors influenced decisions, a sign that someone had been punished, and the emphasis on numbers. There are pages teaching religion, education, professions, toys, music, and more.
The back of the book contains a glossary of places, things, and philosophies that are pertinent to that time and place. It also has a section of important or famous people and a description for each. These resources can be used as a springboard for further study.
If You Were Me and Lived in...the Ancient Mali Empire is another book that teaches kids about an ancient civilization. This one, taking place in the 1300s teaches all about living in the height of the Mali Empire, also known as the Mandingo Empire. Like the others in the series, it also teaches the main points of the period such as city life, religion, houses, occupations, clothing, food, and more. It explains about the importance of baggy pants, why the people relied on salt, what tradition women couldn't participate in, the meaning of the word Mali, and what gift a man would bring to ask for a wife. With more than 75 pages, there is a lot to learn.
Some of the famous people mentioned in the back include Inari Kunate, Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Al-Sahili, Sassouma Bereté, and Shihāb al-Dīn Abū al-Ábbās Ahmad B. Fadl Allāh al-Úmarī. Just don't ask me to pronounce them.
If You Were Me and Lived in...Brazil is one of 25 books that teach geography. Kids learn what it's like to live in different countries as they read through the Cultures Around the World series. The books follow a distinct pattern. The book begins with a picture of the country along with its capital and then shows where it is on the globe. Next is a brief description of the capital city. The book also gives examples of what you may have been named if you had been born there, what you'd call your parents, and what type of currency you'd use. It talks about popular places to visit (including the vast number of trees in the Amazon), some of the common foods (brigadeiros sound yummy), types of recreation (anyone can play Cinco Marias), and a special holiday (bring on the parades).
There are other facts, too, like the word for school, where the president lives, and more. The last few pages of the book are filled with the pronunciations of the foreign words used along with brief definitions.The pronunciations are also found written throughout the story, but it's convenient to have a list of these words in one place. Around 30 pages in length, the book can easily be read in a single sitting.
If You Were Me and Lived on...Mars is a fun addition to the Cultures collection. Instead of focusing on a country, this book describes to kids what it might be like to live on the distant Red Planet. How would you travel there? How long would it take? Why would you have to wait two years to make the return trip home? It's all explained in this 40+ page book. It talks about physical aspects of the planet, like why its color is red, what it is made of, the consistency of the atmosphere, and where it is in the solar system. It explains how you would have to bring all supplies from Earth to survive the harsh conditions and what you would have to do in order to live there. There's information about moons, temperature, gravity, and dust storms. If you have a space-loving kiddo like my 7-year-old, this is a great book!
My kids and I enjoyed these books greatly. With literature being the focus of our schooling, I depend on living books for the majority of our learning. A book that puts you in the story and teaches without feeling like work is the preferred way to learn history in our home. These books are not full curricula on the topics, by any means, but they are a wonderful introduction. We had many "rabbit trail" discussions that were encouraged by the stories and took the time to look up pictures and more information along the way. The pictures are colorful and fill the pages.
The kids have been walking around saying Timbuktu just because it's fun, quoting Confucius sayings, making a grocery list for homemade pão de queijo, and dreaming about viewing Earth from outer space. Traveling around the world and through history using books is a great way to learn about the world around us!
If you'd like to learn more about cultures of our world or civilizations of the past, Carole P. Roman has many award-winning options to choose.
You can connect with Carole P. Roman on the following social media sites:
You can learn more abut Carole P Roman's wonderful books by reading more reviews on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.
Thanks for reading and reviewing the books! I love the term 'rabbit trails.' That was my exact intention. Glad the children enjoyed!
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