Books*Reviews*Etc: IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN...AUSTRALIA by Carole P. Roman

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN...

AUSTRALIA

An Introduction to Learning About Other Cultures

Volume 8

Carole P. Roman

SUMMARY

(FROM AMAZON)

BETHPAGE, N.Y. — Former social studies teacher Carole P. Roman has penned a new addition in her exiting explorations of foreign cultures and customs with “If You Were Me and Lived in … Australia". In her years as a teacher, parent and grandparent, Roman noticed that there were few, if any, books about other cultures for young children. Roman has remedied the deficit and now introduces the new Australia installment in a series that educates kids, parents and teachers, alike. Roman recognizes that children love to discover the differences and similarities of other people and places in far-off lands. In this series, she describes details that kids can relate to. Tailored to children from 3-to-8-years old, her writing is simple but does not talk down to youngsters. Among the topics that are introduced in this journey to Australia are the unusual indigenous animals, the extraordinary Great Barrier Reef, the currency, the beloved game of cricket and the national holiday, Australia Day, as well as the special nicknames people have for one another and the curious taste sensation, Vegemite. “This series is just enough facts to begin a discussion without overwhelming the child and can be expanded or contracted to fit the age group,” Roman explains. "Carole P. Roman has created a marvelous premise for her series of educational children's books: young readers are given the opportunity to realistically envision a foreign country without leaving their homes, libraries, or classrooms....Roman's formula allows for so much lovely variety in each book of this series that it hardly seems like a formula at all...If You Were Me and Lived in ...Kenya is a short, vibrant picture book, brightly illustrated in cartoon style. The text is scant, appropriate, and does not deviate from the central theme." ForeWord Reviews Clarion Review

Paperback: 28 pages-Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 26, 2014)-Language: English-ISBN-10: 1490522395-ISBN-13: 978-1490522395

Biography

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born."Captain No Beard- An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life" has not only been named to Kirkus Best of 2012, it received the Star of Remarkable Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award for 2012. "Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience" Book 2 in the series, received 5 Stars from The ForeWord Review The Clarion Review. Strangers on the High Seas has won second place in the Rebecca's Reads Choice Awards 2013. It has followed with six more books to the series. Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be. Her new non fiction series, "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us. The debut book in the series, "If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico" has won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children's Non Fiction 2012. France, South Korea, and Norway. Rebecca's Reads has given If You Were Me and Lived in...Norway an honorable mention in the 2013 Choice Awards. If You Were Me and lived in ...France won second place. ForeWord Review has nominated If You Were Me and Lived in...France for best in children's non fiction literature 2013. They will be followed with Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. She plans to do Portugal, Greece, and Argentina next year.Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

REVIEW

I have read quite a few of Ms. Roman's books. They are wonderful teaching and learning tools for children. It teaches in a fun way where children's attention is held. We all know, children's attention span is not very long. There are so many things about different countries that even adults don't know. Ms. Roman starts the book off with an illustration of the country of Australia, showing the capital. Ms. Roman introduced a fact that many of us may not know. Australia is not only a country but a continent also. The harder words have a pronunciation in brackets. She tells of the capital city of Canberra, which because of the mass of vegetation it is called the "bush capital." She tells of the different names that children may be called, what their mother and father were called and the the usage of the Australian dollar. The author lists places that you might visit if you went to Australia, foods that are eaten by the Australians and games the children play. Ms. Roman writes her IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN.... books for both children and adults. They are fun with lots of illustrations to go along with the story. Adults can learn from these books as well as children. These are books that would be good for keeping on your child;s book shelf as a collection to be read and re-read.

I was given a complimentary copy of IF YOU WEE ME AND LIVED IN...AUSTRALIA from the author, Carole P. Roman for my view of the book. No other compensation took place.