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.
Carole P. Roman’s picture books can be a wonderful way to travel the world with your kids, introducing them to different cultures. I reviewed four books from Carole P. Roman assorted series to share with my kindergartener. We read about France, Mexico, India, and Israel–all from her “If you Were Me and Lived in… A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World” series.
These books are written for young kids pre-K to age eight, ranging from twenty-thirty pages in length. Carole P. Roman has several countries available in the series making these books a great supplement to your geography curriculum or to just travel the world reading one book at a time.
Book Format for the Series
Each book in the If You Were Me And Lived in…A Child’s Introduction to Culture Around the World series follows a similar format.
- Softcover
- Map page to locate where it is in the world
- A major city and a famous building or architecture
- Typical names for boys and girls
- What you’d call your parents
- Kind of money you’d use
- Famous landmark
- Food
- Popular sport or activity
- Holiday/celebration
- Word for “school”
- Closing page with an illustration of globe surrounded by kids from different countries holding hands
- Pronunciation guide in the back
What I Like About the Books
Relatable Characters
I like how each book features a girl and boy, so any child can relate to being the girl or boy living in that country. As you travel the world and follow a day in the life of the characters, your child can imagine himself being there.
Colorful Illustrations That Teach
Another thing I like in these Carole P. Roman’s books is how the attractive, colorful illustrations teach kids about facts that may not be explicitly included in the text. For example, on a page in the book on India, the family is seated on the floor eating their meal. It doesn’t talk about this being a traditional way to sit for meals, but it would make a great topic to discuss with your child as you naturally talk about the book.
There is no mention of traditional costume for the countries, but again, the illustrations can bring this topic up in your conversation as you read the book. Many people wear western clothes, but like in the India book, the illustration shows the mom and daughter wearing a sari. “Did you notice anything different about how the family members are dressed?”
Also, the flags of the countries are creatively placed within the story, on the school flagpole. My son and I picked up on this pattern, and so it gave us something to look forward to searching for in each book.
Pronunciation Helps
I like how the pronunciation for cultural words is within the text so you don’t have to flip back to the pronunciation guide and interrupt the reading. The pronunciation guide is helpful because you have all the words in one place to refer to when needed.
Relevant Topics for Kids
Another thing I like about these books is that they cover topics that young kids relate to, like the what they’d call their mom and dad, typical foods they’d eat, and a well-known place they’d visit. They travel the world seeing what interest them most.
Books Live Up to Series Title
I like how these books do what the title says they do. They introduce children to cultures from around the world. You can go deeper with parts of the book your child finds most interesting by doing more research.
For example, when we read about the Taj Mahal in India, we decided to get on the internet to see how photographers have captured the intricate designs of the ivory marble.
A Peek Inside Each Book
If You Were Me and Lived in Mexico
In this book, your child will be introduced to Bellas Artes, a historic building in the capital Mexico City and Chichen Itza, a Mayan temple. They’ll see kids eating tamales, watching “futbol” and playing with “la muneca.” They’ll see illustrations of the marketplace where they’d shop with their “peso.” At “la escuela” they’ll learn about why an old church bell is rung every year on the night before Mexico’s Independence Day.
If You Were Me and Lived in France
In this book, kids will travel the world, stopping in France to learn how Paris, the city of lights got its nickname. They’ll see what they might buy with their euros in a “boulangerie” or the various ways they might enjoy a crepe. They’ll learn about what special holiday is similar to America’s Fourth of July. The famous tall triangular building will get a name, as well as the school they’d attend.
If You Were Me and Lived in India
In this book, your child will learn what makes the capital of New Delhi so special and about a beautiful monument that emperor Shah Jehan made for his wife years ago. Kids will learn that spicy food cooked with cumin, curry, cinnamon and chilies is something they’d love. They’ll learn about playing cricket, celebrating Holi, and getting around town in a rickshaw taxi.
If You Were Me and Lived in Israel
This book in the series is lengthier in content than the others we read. The print is smaller to accommodate more text on each page.
My son and I noticed that the illustrator used combined media more noticeably in this book than in the others we read. Many pages have real photographs for the background and the characters are superimposed. I really like this use of mixed media. We could discuss how what we were seeing in the illustration was what the place looked like in real life.
Sadly, in our book the page about the Dead Sea was printed improperly, so the beautiful image of the salty rocks was distorted by pixilation. It was unfortunate because talking about the Dead Sea was one of the highlights of the book. My son was so curious about this sea where no fish can live in.
Following the kids in this book about Israel, your child will learn that it is considered Holy land. It’s home to several religious groups and to Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world. Kids will learn about the history of the “shekel.” They’ll see that foods like “halav” and “lechem” can be purchased in the open-air market. They may recognize some foods like, humus and pita bread on the table. The celebration of Purim is explained. Kids will be curious to learn why people in Israel read and write from right to left, instead of from left to right.
Why You Should Add These Books to Your Home Library
The content of the “If You Were Me and Lived in…A Child’s Introduction to Culture Around the World” books is great for kids ages pre-K to eight. Carole P. Roman is skilled at considering the big picture and scaling it down to what is appropriate and engaging for young kids. She knows how to select what is the perfect amount for their attention and ability to grasp.
I would recommend these books for parents who are looking for resources to casually or formally introduce world culture, history, and geography to their young children. With Carole P. Roman you can travel the world with books.
Find out what others from the Homeschool Review Crew have to say about the Carole P. Roman assorted series.
