If You Were Me and Lived in ... Australia - Carole P. Roman

Summary:  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 (Summary and Cover image from amazon.com.  I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.)

My Review:  If You Were Me and Lived in ... Australia follows the same pattern as Carole Roman has laid out in the rest of the series.  It's full of wonderful, basic information regarding the Great Barrier reef, local treats and diet, games, and currency.  However, I felt like there was a little missing from this installment.  Perhaps it's me, but I would have loved to see some mention of kangaroos and koalas, and I missed seeing the Sydney Opera House.  It's just synonymous with Australia for me!

However, from a child's perspective, this is a great addition to the If You Were Me ... series.  I giggled when I saw that the pronunciation guides took into account the Australian accent -- and I found myself reading in an accent for the rest of the book.  I wonder if my kids will start calling me mummy, now ... 

My Rating: Four stars