Children’s Book Review: History Series from Carole P. Roman

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN…ANCIENT GREECE

By: Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by: Mateya Arkova

Published: March 24, 2016

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Non-Fiction

Roman has taken her much loved cultural series IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN…and changed it to a historical look at ancient civilizations. The first in the series, Ancient Greece, explores the history of its culture through words and pictures. This series of books is written for an older group of kids rather than her series on countries. This series includes more historical details with more words on the pages. But, it still gives us the perspective of a child during that time in history to put kids into the time-period.

Ancient Greece is an important part of our own history including the foundation of our legal and government systems, our literature and philosophy, and even the Olympics. This is a perfect way to start the series by introducing children to one of the oldest cultures in our history.

The books are arranged much like the cultural series offering examples of names, the food you would eat, and what a typical day would look like if you grew up during the time of Ancient Greece. Children will learn examples of the language and be able to visualize the setting with the softly drawn illustrations.

I think kids would be surprised to read that children during Ancient Greece could drink wine because they were worried about water carrying diseases. I bet they would also think it is silly to imagine their father eating while reclining on a cushion and eating with only one hand during their supper time.

Children will also learn about the clothing people wore and the jobs their parents would do. There is also information about the gods that were worshiped during this time and what kids did for fun.

This book offers lots of information in an easy-to-learn format for upper elementary kids. This series is perfect for classroom reports or homeschool settings.

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN…ANCIENT CHINA
The Han Dynasty

By: Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by: Mateya Arkova

Published: June 26, 2016

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Non-Fiction

Ancient China goes back almost two thousand years to the year 150 AD. From 206 BC to 220 AD, the Han Dynasty ruled over China organizing the government and establishing one of the longest dynasties in its culture. During this time, poetry and literature were encouraged and porcelain was created.

Everyone in the family had an important role to play and the father was the head of the household. Other family members would also live in the house with you and your grandparents would hold a very respectful role in your family.

Arkova’s illustrations show the beautiful silk kimonos worn by the women on ancient China as well as the furnishings in the home. Girls education was much different from the boys as girls were thought to not need an opinion and only need to know how to be a good wife and mother.

Religion and culture were very important to the Chinese and the back of the book includes a list of important people during ancient China as well as a glossary of terms. I think children will be fascinated by the extreme differences from the ancient China culture and today.

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN…THE ANCIENT MALI EMPIRE

By: Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by: Mateya Arkova

Published: December 13, 2016

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Non-Fiction

This piece of history is one most children will probably not know much about. Roman gives us the perspective of a child’s life during the ancient Mali Empire. She chose to feature a child that grew up with privilege and is whose father was a general in the army. Because of this, readers will learn about the government and how kings and other respected leaders (like her grandfather) ran their empire.

I realized that I had much to learn from this book and found it’s culture to be quite interesting. It didn’t surprise me that much like the other books in this series, girls are not as respected as boys and their roles focus more on household and family chores. I think this series opens up an opportunity to have a conversation with girls and boys about how the roles of women and men have changed over that last several thousand years.

Arkova’s illustrations show the vivid colors in their clothing and the simply shaped homes that were common in Mali, Her attention to detail including wrinkles in the grandfather’s face and tears to show his emotion will show kids the importance of the history and retelling stories.

This particular book has won the 2016 Blue Ribbon Award from the Homeschool Review Crew as a Favorite History Supplement. It has also won the Best Series away for 2016 by Shelf Unbound. It’s also been named a Top Back to Homeschool Resource.

Carole P. Roman

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the Captain No Beard series. Both Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life and Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis have received the Kirkus Star of Exceptional Merit. The first book in the series was named to Kirkus Reviews Best 2012. Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis has just been named to Kirkus Reviews Best of 2015. Each book in the series has won numerous awards including the NABE Pinnacle Award, ERIK Award for 2013, ForeWord Review Five Star and Finalist in the Book of the Year, and Reader’s Views Children’s Book of the Year 2013, Shelf Unbound Best Series, Back to School Resource Winner, IAN, National Indie Excellence Award, MoonBeam Award for If You Were Me and Lived in…Scotland. She is also the author of the award-winning non-fiction culture series If You Were Me and Lived in…exploring customs and culture around the world. She co-authored Navigating Indieworld: A Beginner’s Guide To Self-Publishing and Marketing Your Book, which earned a 5 Star ForeWord Review Clarion Review. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children and grandchildren. Check out Carole’s website, HERE. To see all the books I’ve reviewed by Roman, click HERE. 

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Thanks to the author for sending a copy of these books for the purpose of this review. These reviews are my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the books through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.