Review sponsored* by Carole P. Roman
The Children’s Book Review | June 15, 2016
An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time
Written by Carole P. Roman
Illustrated by various artists
Age Range: 7 and up
Paperback: 40 pages or more
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
What to expect: Educational, History, Social Studies
Author Carole P. Roman has won numerous awards for her cultural series written for children ages 4 and up: IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … AN INTRODUCTION TO CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD. Now she is introducing a spin-off series for older children: IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … AN INTRODUCTION TO CIVILIZATIONS THROUGHOUT TIME.
In the series for younger children, readers get to imagine what it is like living in another country; now, older readers can experience what it was like to live in a whole different time period. By allowing readers to imagine themselves as a child within the book and time period, Roman makes the educational aspect of these books so much more digestible. Readers will learn about things like housing, land, cooking, diet, clothing, and the jobs and hobbies people had in different times. Questions are often asked to inspire deeper thinking and encourage young learners to look for changes between the historical period and our current times. The end pages usually include more specific information about the importance of the time period itself, a list and brief biography of famous people, and a glossary of foreign words.
In addition to an exploration of the basic way of living, Ancient Greece offers an introduction to mythology, politics, and the Olympics. Readers learn that Homer was one of the first recorded poets in the world, and a list of gods and goddesses is included in the final pages. In Renaissance Italy, readers are introduced to a very creative period and learn that this time of rebirth followed a much darker period. Elizabethan England is a time of royalty (think the Queen of England) and exploration and art and literature (think William Shakespeare). Readers also learn where the saying “its raining cats and dogs” comes from. And, in the fourth installment, Colonial America, readers explore how the first people came to land on American soil and the challenges they had while settling. There is a beautiful page that includes meeting and making friends with a native boy. “You met him at the river one day. You were scared, but he was friendly and somehow you learned to talk to each other by using hand movements. He was your age, and when he stopped laughing at your clumsy fish hook, he taught you how to hunt and trap the local game.”
As each time period covered is considerably different, so too are the illustrations for each of the books. Roman has carefully selected illustrators whose styles offer a specific touch for each period. Some of the books use mixed media and incorporate photographs with original illustrations. The cover for Renaissance Italy is a great kid-friendly representation of the rich colors and decorative costumes from the era—and the big Mary Blair style eyes from illustrator Silvia Brunetti are darling and certainly draw readers in for a closer look at the people on the pages.
While this series is in picture book format, it is ideal for children ages 7 and older that are ready to digest larger amounts of text. While similar to the culture series, these are a bit wordier and include more details with lingering descriptions and are best suited to a sophisticated audience. Independent readers that do not need assistance will enjoy the text, which will also work for precocious younger children that are happy to explore the illustrations while listening. Each installment in the series includes just enough information to create interest and start larger conversations.
What a fascinating way to introduce young children to the world as it was, so that they may begin to learn about their roots and how the world and the people in it have evolved. Yes, Carole P. Roman, thanks to you, it is time for readers to hop aboard their time travel machines. Where will they go first?
Add this book to your collection: If You Were Me and Lived in … Renaissance Italy
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Add this book to your collection: If You Were Me and Lived in … Ancient Greece
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Add this book to your collection: If You Were Me and Lived in … Elizabethan England
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Add this book to your collection: If You Were Me and Lived in … Colonial America
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About Carole P. Roman
Carole P. Roman
Carole P. Roman is the award winning author of the nonfiction series of children’s books, If You Were Me and Lived in … . The first title in the collection, If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico, won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Nonfiction in 2012. If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia and If You Were Me and Lived in…France were finalists in the Indie Fab Foreword Review Book of the Year. Norway and South Korea have also been named as Book of the Year with Rebecca’s Reads and Children’s Reader’s View Book of the Year. Roman has also found success with her Captain No Beard children’s books. Her debut, Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life, was named a Kirkus Best of 2012, received a Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award in 2012. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children.
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Book Giveaway
Enter to win a complete autographed set of the If You Were Me and Lived in … An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time series, written by award-winning author Carole P. Roman and illustrated by various artists.
Giveaway begins June 15, 2016, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends July 16, 2016, at 11:59 P.M. PST. Enter here »
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