The Children’s Book Review | February 11, 2014
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By Carole P. Roman
Age Range: 4 – 8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independant Publishing Platform (January 2, 2015)
ISBN: 978-1500531331
What to expect: Scotland, Places, Language, Food, Culture
Where to next you ask? Pack your bags because you’re off to Scotland in this sophisticated addition to the If You Were Me and Lived In … picture book series, created to introduce young lads and lassies to the many amazing cultures found around the world.
Who knew that Scotland has more than 790 islands in the North Sea? This is just one of the interesting facts shared in Roman’s digestible overview of the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Famous for its mythical creatures, many think of the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie, as the official animal of Scotland, but it is actually the unicorn that receives this prestigious status. Roman makes this book universal by asking readers if they know what the official animal of their own country is? Through yummy descriptions, readers also discover that the Scottish like their hearty comfort food. The most fun of all may be learning about the Highland Games where classic Scottish games are played while wearing traditional tartan kilts and listening to bagpipe music.
Delving into all of the info is easy and fun with Roman’s matter-of-fact text. As readers travel through Scotland from the comfort of their own cozy reading chair or rug, new vocabulary will be learned and understood with Roman’s easy explanations; such as populous: “That means a lot of people live there.” The pronunciation appendix is very helpful in providing extra tidbits and further insight—you’ll never guess what a bagpipe is made of.
Teachers may be inspired to set up their own classroom Highland Games. A few young readers might be inspired to study abroad for college when they learn that the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, is famous for its university. Or maybe it will simply be enough to try out a Scottish name like Ian, Connor, Malcolm, Aileen, Kelsey, or Margaret. Either way, Roman has created a good beginning platform that readers can leap from and soar into the mythical and lively world of Scottish culture.
Add this book to your collection: If You Were Me and Lived in … Scotland: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World
About the Author
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the much lauded children’s book Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life. Her experience as a former social studies teacher is wonderfully apparent in her popular If You Were Me and Lived in… series, which now includes more than fifteen books.
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Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. The author of “If You Were Me and Lived in … Scotland: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World” paid for this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …