Come On! We're Traveling to Poland Today! Yes, Carole Roman is Our Tour Guide!

If you were me and lived in Poland, you
would find yourself in Central Europe
in a country you called Pokska, but the
rest of the world called it the Republic
of Poland. People from Poland are called
Polanie. The name Polanie means people
living in open field.
The Kingdom of Poland was founded
in the year 1025.
The Polish constitution was written on
May 3, 1791, making it the first in Europe
and second in the world.
~~~

I was excited to visit Poland! I found I knew very little about this country. Or, of what I knew, I had not known of the connection to Poland. It is so wonderful to have the opportunity to teach your children about these countries, while young, with Roman's "Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World. Do give your children to learn about other countries and, hopefully, help bring our world's residents closer together...

Warsaw is the capital city which is built on the banks of the Wisla River, located in the central eastern part of Poland.

There is a legend that Warsaw got its name from a fisherman named Wars, who fell in love with a mermaid who lived in the river. Her name was Sawa. Because of this legend, there are many statues of mermaids in the city. There is a mermaid on the official city seal...

If You Were Me and Lived in...Poland
A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World

By Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga

As you may have guessed, I think this series is a wonderful learning experience for all children...and we adults who are willing to admit we still need to learn about the world's cultures...

Of course, a fan of classical music like me had enjoyed Chopin's music for many years, not even thinking about where he was born...Shame on Me... Now I know about a number of great tributes to their most important and famous composer from the 1800s, including black stone benches spread around the city where you can stop during your tour, sit and relax, and even press a button to hear a sample of the Master's music! How cool is that?! I'd love to have the opportunity to visit this country!

And, of course, to meet some of the children...

If you are a boy, your parents might have chosen the name Marek, Filip, or Jakub. They could have picked the name Weronika, Ewa, or Karolina for your sister...

One part I especially appreciated was the inclusion of simple store-bought items, but provided in Polish...And then the writer asks the reader to match the words with their English version. A Great idea for beginning to learn another language. I think I got the match right...let me know if you do!

Now I want to share what I would most like to see: The Wielicza Salt Mine...

Your favorite vacation would always be to visit the Wielicza Salt Mine located on the outskirts of Krakow. Salt was mined there continuously since the thirteenth century up until 2007. It was one of the oldest companies in the world. Now it is a great tourist attraction. In the olden days, salt was essential for curing meat and valuable for trading. What makes this place special is the unique underground city completely carved from rock salt by the miners who worked there over hundreds of years. There is a chapel that is said to have the best acoustics of any other structure in Europe. That means when music is played there, it bounces off the walls to surround you in sound. Ancient sculptures stand side by side with new and modern carvings that have been added.

~~~

There's lots more to learn about Poland--like Copernicus, Children's Day, and more about what the children do for fun and exercise, and home life!

The color scheme for this particular book is sure to attract readers' attention. They are bright, brilliant and eye-pleasing...and the features of the characters and places has been exceptionally well done...Kudos to Kelsea Wierenga! This was a favorite for me, just because there was so much new to learn... What country have you most enjoyed visiting with our tour guide Carole Roman?

Do encourage your children to become totally involved with this series and look forward to each new country. For many of us, it is one of the only ways to visit abroad...and starting your children learning about the world is bound to help in moving forward into living and getting older!  Highly recommended!

GABixlerReviews

A Trip to Italy to Start the Year - Of course, with Carole P. Roman as our Child's Tour Guide!

If you were me and lived in Italy (I-ta-lja), your home would be called the Republic of Italy, and it would be found in the southern part of Europe. It is often called lo Stivale (lo Stee-val-e) or "the boot," because it is shaped like one.

In ancient times, Italy was the home of the Roman Empire. For many years, it controlled most of the world...

If You Were Me and Lived In...

                                                               ITALY

A Child's Introduction to Culture

   Around the World

By Carole P. Roman

Illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga

I have always wanted to visit Italy so I'm happy that Carole Roman has taken our children there in her latest book. As many will already know Rome is the capital of the country. It was founded by Romulus in 753 BC and is one of the oldest cities in the world...Rome is often called the Eternal City...because of its influence on western civilization. Doesn't this beautiful picture reflect the feeling of eternity?

Of course one of the best parts of visiting another country is to meet the children actually living there! If you were a boy, your name might be Leonardo or Sergio or Angelo...

Or if you are a little girl, popular names are Conchetta or Giana, or Letitia...

This series has a set selection of information so that children will learn about the children they may meet, the food they will eat, the type of money to be used there in Italy and also some few basic words such as what mother and father are called in their language. And learn about their home life and sports they play.

My favorite part is when we act as visitors and get to see some of the famous local attractions in the country. For instance, the famous Coliseum right in the center of Rome. When visitors come, you would love to show them the famous Coliseum in the center of Rome. It is an ancient concrete and stone theater that is the largest amphitheatre in the world. Three emperors or kings built it during the years 72-9- BC. It sat fifty-thousand to eight-thousand people and was famous for public events... 

I was especially intrigued by the significance they place on International Women's Day on March 8th, when the mimosa flowers are out and the children pick them to present to the important women in their lives... How Cool!

Once again I've enjoyed traveling to another country with Carole P. Roman. There are many different events and activities that you and your children will enjoy learning about. Highly recommended...

GABixlerReviews

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 Exceptional 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. This year, Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis was named to Kirkus Best 2015. The entire cultural non-fiction series If You Were Me and Lived in... was named Best Series by Shelf Unbound. She has begun work on two new series that will be released in early 2016.
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

Heading to Hungary with Carole P. Roman's - A Child's Introduction to Culture

The Crown, Sword and Globus Cruciger of Hungary 

If you were me and lived in Hungary, you would find yourself landlocked in Central Europe. That means your country if surrounded on all four borders by other countries and no ocean.

~~~

You might live in the capital, Budapest. Budapest is Hungary's largest city and

one of the biggest cities in the European Union...

Everybody loves to take a picture in front of the Hungarian Parliament building. That is where all the laws are made in Hungary.

If You Were Me and Lived in...

                                                             Hungary

A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World

By Carole P. Roman

Hey, everybody, check out the cruise boat in the above picture, do you know what famous river divides the capital city? Let's see if this helps! Well, for me, this cruise is one of the first things I'd want to take, wouldn't you? What better way to see the whole city than to glide in the beautiful Danube?!

Buda and Obuda sit on the west bank, and Pest is on the east bank. That means the one city is divided by the Danube River. The Hungarians call is the Duna River...

Let's meet some of the children before we go any further...Boys are often called Attila, Laszlo, or Peter...

If you are a girl, your name may be Erzse'bet, Suzanna, or Judit:

 

And don't forget to change your money to that used in Hungary--maybe even to buy a baba to bring home as a souvenir or gift

Sightseeing could include going to see the Balaton, the largest lake in central Europe, but with the Danube nearby,

I wanted to go see Caves of Aggtelek!

First is the Dripstone Cave and then the Concert Hall. Both with lights and synchronated music. The third is the Baradia which is the largest and most magnificent. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be right there in the Caves?!

 Ok all that walking has made us all hungry!  And we've been invited to Nagy's house! That's the word for grandma and she is part of our host family who invited us to come to Hungary. Here's the wonderful meal she served!

A cherry soup

Goulash, with meat and vegetables--paprika
gives the food a special reddish color...

And a delicious-looking dobos torta which is a sponge cake topped with delicious caramel...









Although there is more to read about in the book, including about this! Do you know what it is??! 

I'm going to close with a bit of history...     

Saint Stephen is a very important hero in Hungary. He was the first King of Hungary and they have a holiday called Saint Istvhan's Day to celebrate his great accomplishments. King Stephen is famous for uniting the people and defeating all the foreign invaders. He was made King on January 1, 1001...

Provided in both Hungarian and English

Children will in this volume of Carole P. Roman's series on culture around the world... Each book begins with an introduction of the country within the world, geographically, and then proceeds to introduce children to parts of the country, such as the capital, to its children and what things they might do or where they might go for sightseeing. Often, for many of us, it will be the first and maybe even the only introduction they will have to a country. What's so important is that by creating them for the children, they will have a chance to marvel at the wide world in which we live and begin to realize there is so much more than the area in which they might now live. A truly superb children's series that is highly recommended for children and adults alike!

GABixlerReviews

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. It has followed with four 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.
She has just finished the first of six books in a groundbreaking new nonfiction series about culture around the world. "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us.

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.

Been to Portugal? Me, Neither! Let's go with Carole P. Roman as Guide...

You might live with your family in the capital city, Lisbon. Not only is it one of the oldest cities in the world, it is the oldest in Western Europe. Six hundred years ago, in search of new trade routes for spices and other riches, the Portuguese sailed out and colonized many different parts of the world, so that today 240 million people speak the Portuguese language.


If You Were Me and Lived in...

Portugal

An Introduction to Learning About Other Cultures

By Carole P. Roman

I had one lone visitor from Portugal last month to Book Readers Heaven. So I thought we should learn about the country and extend a warm welcome to those now living in Portugal or were originally from this country...

Portugal is located right on the Atlantic Ocean. I grew up along the bank of the Monongahela River so I became immediately enthralled with the idea of living on the Atlantic coast!

Maybe I went too heavy on the pictures? Nah! LOL

If you are a boy and born in Portugal, your parents might have named you Tomas (Toe-mas), Afonso (A-fon-zho) or Martins (Mar-teens).

They could have named  yout didyrt Maria (Ma-ree-ya), Joana (Wa-nah), or Leonor (Lee-on-or).

I found this piece of jewelry, which is very beautiful, and certainly could be worn by your avo, don't you think? Note that it includes the colorful "Rooster of Barcelos, which is a colorful symbol of Portugal..."

If you were me and lived in Portugal your favorite vacation would have to be a trip to the Azores. The Azores is a chain of nine volcanic islands and a natural paradise. They are a habitat for marine animals and seabirds. Whale and dolphins can be found there. You might like to scuba dive or hike on the many mountain trails.

~~~

I've concentrated mostly on the locations discovered in Roman's book, but there is still much to learn about food, sports and other important part of children's lives, especially The Portugal Carnevale! I found this video as an example of the extras, such as this concert, takes places during that huge event in February...

As in the entire series, a pronunciation glossary is included, as well as samples of the language--I included one of the words in the book in this review. See if you can find it! 

I'm almost caught up with this entire series and highly recommend it for your permanent home library to be explored and enjoyed by family and visitors alike! Enjoy!



GABixlerReviews

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 Exceptional 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.

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