Shannon's Review - If You Were Me And Lived In...Mexico by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And Lived In… Mexico...
Series: If You Were Me And Lived In...
Author: Carole P. Roman
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Carole P. Roman
Genre: Non-Fiction, Countries, Social Studies, History, Mexico
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Received: Free from the author for an honest review
Release Date: March 2013
Pages: 28
Rating:



Author Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:



(borrowed from goodreads.com)


Website:
http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog:
http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/caroleproman/




Shannon’s Thoughts:

Part of the educational cultural “If You Were Me And Lived In…” series. This book introduces the reader to Mexico.

I have reviewed other books in this series and what I really like it gives you a little info at a time, which lets the reader process the new words and places.

I wish I had kids of my own to get a sense of how these books are perceived through their eyes and mind. I can only go by what my inner child likes.

Kids and older readers will enjoy learning about Mexico, and even if they know some Spanish (like me) it is still fun to learn the things I do not know.

Shannon's Review - If You Were Me And Lived In... Portugal by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And Lived In… Portugal
Series: If You Were Me And Lived In…(#10)
Author: Carole P. Roman
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Carole P. Roman
Genre: Non-Fiction, Childrens, Picturebook, Countries,
Publisher: Carole P. Roman
Received: From Publisher For Honest Review
Release Date: May 2014
Pages: 32
Rating:


Author Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:


(borrowed from goodreads.com)


Website:
http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog:
http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/caroleproman/




Shannon’s Thoughts:

The 10th installment of If You Were Me And Lived In series is about Portugal. The reader learns common names parents name their children born in Portugal. As well as learning how to say Mother, Father, and Grandmother in Portuguese. Also learn the local sites, foods, and holidays.

I enjoy these books as an adult, even though they are for children. They give just the right amount of information. It does not overload your brain and makes you curious for more about the country. So for me, it is a nice introduction to read before I read an adult book about the history of Portugal.

I have done a few reviews from this series and there is a formula the author uses to teach about countries. Not a bad thing just an observation. I did feel like this book did more questions like “Do you know what this Portuguese word means?”. At first, my brain came up with many answers and confusion because... I forgot there is a glossary of the meaning of words in the back of the book. Doh!

I still think these are great books and really helpful for children and adults.

Shannon's Book Review - If You Were Me And Lived In...Brazil by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And Lived In… Brazil
Series: If You Were Me And Lived In (# 17)
Author: Carole P. Roman
Illustrator/Book Cover Design: Kelsea Wierenga
Genre: Non-Fiction, Children’s, Picture Book, Places, History,
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Received: From author for an honest review
Release Date: July 2016
Pages: 32
Rating:

Author Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:

Website:
http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog:
http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/caroleproman/


Shannon’s Thoughts:
The 17th installment to the If You Were Me And Lived In… series. This time we learn about living in Brazil. It is fun learning new words in Portuguese and viewing famous landmarks included with the cute illustrations.

In this edition, I enjoyed guessing which Portuguese words for cheese, milk and other terms. I don’t remember the other books in this series having you guess. It is easy to find out what was right by looking in the glossary in the back of the book.

The only downfall with these books is they are too short...for adults which is not who they are written for.

This book and the others in this series are wonderful for inquisitive children who want to learn about the world they live in.

Shannon's Review - If You Were Me And Lived In...Turkey by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And Lived In...Turkey
Series: If You Were Me And Lived In...
Author: Carole P. Roman
Genre: Non-Fiction, Children, Picture Book, History, Turkey
Publisher: CreateSpace
Received: From author for review
Release Date: November 2013
Pages: 28
Rating:





Author Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:




Website:
http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog:
http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/caroleproman/


Shannon’s Thoughts:

Another addition to If You Were Me And Lived In series. This time we learn about living in the country Turkey. The reader is introduced to what common boys and girls' names are. We learn Turkish names of common items like money, mom and dad. The lite children's picture book is full of facts and cute illustrations.

I do enjoy these series of books because it is like a beginner's class on countries I don’t know much about. I don’t have my own children but my inner child tells me she would have liked these books as well.

My only reservation is I feel that there could be more to learn but I think that is the adult in me. Maybe the amount of information is just right for a child.

I think this series will be really helpful for kids once they reach age fo social studies classes and have reports to do.

Shannon's Review - If You Were Me And Lived In France by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And Lived In….France...

Series: If You Were Me And Lived In

Author: Carole P. Roman

Genre: Non-Fiction, Children's, Picturebook, Countries

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Received: From Author For Honest Review (Thank You, Carole!)

Release Date: May 2013

Pages: 28

Rating:

Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:

(picture was taken from Goodreads.com)

Website

http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog

N/A

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks

Twitter

@caroleproman

Shannon’s Thoughts:

In this second book in the series (no need to read in order) the reader is introduced to the country, France.  We learn a little about the French language and some of its big tourist sites, like the Eiffel Tower.

I enjoyed learning the small number of French words.  It’s a picture book and some authors overdo it by having too many hard or unknown words.  Author, Carole P. Roman, does not overdo it with her writing.

On the downside, I feel that having been to France, more landmarks and architecture could have been mentioned that kids would be interested in.  For instance Notre-Dame Cathedral, kids may recognize from Disney movie The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. I guess I wanted the book a little longer. The pages run a little on the low side for a picture book.  The typical is 32 pages where this was 28.

This is another wonderful addition to the If You Were Me And Lived In… series. So many places to learn from and so much information to share. Almost an endless supply of writing. I look forward to the next book.

Shannon's Review - If You Were Me And Lived In The Ancient Mali Empire by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And Lived In… The Ancient Mali Empire

Series: If You Were Me And Lived In

Author: Carole P. Roman

Genre: Non-Fiction, Children, History, Africa

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Received: From author for an honest review

Release Date: December 2016

Pages: 78

Rating:

Author Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:

Website:

http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog:

http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Another installment to Carole P. Roman’s If You Were Me And Lived In...This time we are introduced to the ancient Mali Empire.  These books are fun to look at and even parents/adults learn so much.

I had actually never heard of the Mali people nor that Mali means hippo.  This empire had big trade routes and was known for them. They named their children names you often see in the Christian bible although they were Islamic and Muslims.

I am never sure the age that this series should be read.  It is meant for kids but I learn so much as an adult as well.  I just wish the content of what learn would stay in my head but that is a whole other issue.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Can not really go wrong with learning things.

Shannon's Review - If You Were Me And Lived On ...Mars by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And Lived On ...Mars

Series: If You Were Me And Lived

Author: Carole P. Roman

Genre: Fiction, Children, Picture Book, Science

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Received: From Author For Review

Release Date: January 2017

Pages: 43

Rating:

Author Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:

Website:

http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog:

http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Part of the “If You Were Me” series by Carole P. Roman but this one is a little different. Most of the books in the series are places were people actually live and this one is ahead of its time.  If You Were Me And Lived In Mars gives the info we know about Mars and imagines if humans were to live there.

I learned so much about Mars from this book. Some stuff is a little scary to think of, especially if we actually live there someday.  The air, and the land are not really setup for humans yet but scientist have plans on what we could do to live there.

There is something unnerving about the facts.  It part of the reason I have had hard time writing the review.   That is the only negative to the book for me, the fear of the unknown I guess. People have not made it to Mars...I don’t think?  I don’t think they will in my lifetime but boy what a day it will be when or if it does.

I definitely applaud the originality for this book. I did not expect it in this series. I intend to read the rest of the series as Ms. Roman has been teaching me so much.  If only I had had these books when I was a child.

Shannon's Review - Strangers On The High Seas by Carole P. Roman

Title: Strangers On The High Seas

Series: A Captain No Beard Story #4

Author: Carole P. Roman

Genre: Fiction, Childrens, Picturebook

Publisher: Createspace

Received: From Author For Review

Release Date: May 2013

Pages: 32

Rating:

Author Carole P. Roman Official Websites:

Website

http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog

http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Captain No Beard has a new crew member named Cayla. As he keeps his eye on her a possible stranger/enemy pirate ship come into view.

It’s been awhile since I have a read a Captain No Beard and there were somethings I had forgotten my first read through of this 4th book in the series.  I had forgotten that the captain and his mates were children pretending so when I first read I was confused.  Now I have read it a second time and I would said this book and series are really cute and are well written.   I think it would be well liked for boys and girls.

I love the watercolor illustrations although I feel like there was a couple of times I could not figure out if the images where saying the same the words were but that might be my adult eyes going.

I look forward to reading more Captain No Beard stories.  I could also see this series becoming a cartoon in years to come.

Shannon's Review - If You Were Me And Lived In The Mayan Empire by Carole P. Roman

Title: If You Were Me And Lived In The Mayan Empire

Series: If You Were Me And Lived In

Author: Carole P. Roman

Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Children’s. Picture Book

Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing Platform  

Received: From Author For Review

Release Date: March 2017

Pages: 66

Rating:

Author Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:

Website

http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog

http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Another book from the “If You Were Me And Lived…” series.  This edition is about the Mayan Empire.  

This series is great for kids to learn about history. Since I don’t have kids I think is also great for adults who do not read much history and want to learn by not getting overwhelmed with a huge history book. I learned many things that I did not know, like the fact that descendants of Mayans still live in the area and still speak Mayan. They placed boards on babies heads to elongated the head.  They embedded jewels in their teeth.

There is a lot of information in this little book. My only problem is the info does not really stay in my head but I think that is a me problem not a book problem.  Luckily since it is a kids book it is small and you can re-read the book quickly.

Carole P. Roman does a great job on the research of the history and on what to place in the books. I look forward to reading and learning more from the other books in the series.

Shannon's Review - Rocket - Bye by Carole P. Roman

Title: Rocket-Bye

Series: N/A

Author: Carole P. Roman

Genre: Children's, Picture Book

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Received: From Author for review

Release Date: March 2016

Pages: 32

Rating:

Carole P. Roman’s Official Websites:

Website

http://www.caroleproman.com/

Blog

N/A

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks

Twitter

https://twitter.com/caroleproman

Shannon’s Thoughts:

The story of two children zooming around on a rocketship is written with dream like quality. With artwork that is fun, whimsical and smart, this book is a great before bedtime tale.

Author Carole P. Roman has a knack for coming up with cute and informative children's books. Rocket - Bye is no different, as it goes through the planets names and a view of the stars. You and any child will be filled with calm wonder.

I had only one issue with Rocket-bye is that in the part where the children learn the names of the planets, Pluto is the last named.  To my knowledge Pluto is no longer cataloged as a planet.  Or I could be wrong and it may have been changed it back.

Rocket - Bye is for both boys and girls. It is not too challenging to read and is a joy to view as is all of Carole P. Roman’s books.