A Geographical Wonder of a Book Series & a Giveaway

Come Travel to Italy, with Carole P. Roman

If You Were Me and Lived In ... Italy

            Neil Gaiman wrote, “Books make great gifts. They have whole worlds inside of them.” Carole P. Roman’s series of books about countries all over our world offer those “whole world” experiences to children. There are many children in our country who do not have the opportunity to travel to other countries, even to other states. Fortunately, Carole Roman began writing books for young people that will take them far, and spark an interest for further research as they grow older.
             Carole has written books in this series about seventeen countries, beginning with the award-winning title If You Were Me And Lived In . . . Mexico. You can find all the books here on her Amazon author page, plus learn about her other books, about pirates and yoga! Carole’s latest travel book, If You Were Me And Lived In . . . Italy, flies us across the ocean to southern Europe, as she writes, lo Stivale (the boot) or as we know it here in the United States, Italy. She begins with the geography, the spare text telling what the country is, what it is often called if you live there (lo Stivale). The opposite illustrated page shows a boy and girl holding the world, pointing to Italy, and that boy and girl take us on a tour of their country throughout the book. I like the way the illustrator, Kelsea Wierenga, sometimes uses photographs with her own drawings to make interesting composites. On one page there is text about a weekend activity, going to Olimpico stadium to watch a football game, and the illustration shows a stadium picture in the background, with those sketched kids cheering and clapping in the foreground.



           Carole’s text covers a bit of the ancient Romans like the Coliseum: common daily experiences, like visiting grandparents (Nonno and Nonna) and favorite meals eaten. There is much in the book to start our wondering, about food, daily life, history, and traditions. For a brief beginning book of a country study, I enjoyed seeing that Carole introduces the many layers of knowing about a country. Children will love hearing about August 15^th, the official start of summer, called Ferragosto. At the same time, she introduces vocabulary--the word and the pronunciation--within the text, and includes a pronunciation guide at the end. These books will make terrific additions to the geography sections of school libraries, or be wonderful beginning books to introduce countries to children when one is traveling to one of the countries.

More About the Book

Join Carole P. Roman as she visits the Republic of Italy. Learn what it is like to live in Rome, see the famous architecture, celebrate a favorite holiday and discover popular names for both boys and girls. Be fascinated with its diverse and rich history and colorful traditions. On the way, you might learn a word or two in Italian! The If You Were Me and Lived In ... Series is available on Amazon. Ages 4-8 |

About Carole P. Roman

 ]   Carole P. Roman is the award winning author of the nonfiction If You Were Me and Lived in… series of children’s books. The first title in the collection, If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico, won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Nonfiction in 2012. If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia and If You Were Me and Lived in...France were finalists in the Indie Fab Foreword Review Book of the Year. Norway and South Korea have also been named as Book of the Year with Rebecca's Reads and Children's Reader's View Book of the Year. Roman has also found success with her Captain No Beard children’s books. Her debut, Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life, was named a Kirkus Best of 2012, received a Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award in 2012. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children. CarolePRoman.com | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Captain No Beard Tour Giveaway

Enter to win a complete autographed set of the If You Were Me series, written by award-winning author Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga; including If You Were Me and Lived in … Italy: A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World! Plus, the grand prize winner will also receive the Educational Insights Geosafari Jr Talking Globe. Giveaway begins January 10, 2016, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends February 16, 2016, at 11:59 P.M. PST. a Rafflecopter giveaway

If You Were Me and Lived In ... Italy Tour Dates

Sunday January 10 2016 The Children's Book Review If You Were Me and Lived In ... Series Giveaway Sunday January 10 2016 It's Fundamental Author Interview with Carole P. Roman Wednesday January 13 2016 Teacher Dance Book Review of If You Were Me and Lived In ... Italy Monday January 18 2016 The Fairview Review Guest Post with Carole P. Roman Monday January 18 2016 Strategically Thinking Guest Post with Carole P. Roman Thursday January 21 2016 The Children's Book Review Book Review of If You Were Me and Lived In ... Italy Monday January 25 2016 5 Girls Book Reviews Author Interview with Carole P. Roman Tuesday January 26 2016 Icefairy's Treasure Chest Book Review of If You Were Me and Lived In ... Italy Wednesday February 3 2016 Little Miss History Book Review of If You Were Me and Lived In ... Italy Sunday February 7 2016 Inspired by Savannah Author Interview with Carole P. Roman Tuesday February 9 2016 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Book Review of If You Were Me and Lived In ... Italy