If You Were Me And Lived In … Cuba, by Carole P. Roman | Dedicated Review
Review sponsored by Carole P. Roman
The Children’s Book Review | July 20, 2017
Written by Carole P. Roman
Illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga
Age Range: 4-8 years
Paperback: 34 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
What to expect: Cuba, Culture, History, Geography, Social Studies, Travel
If You Were Me And Lived In…Cuba is the latest book in Carole P. Roman’s “If You Were Me And Lived…” award-winning series. It is an informational book that shows young readers what their lives would be like if they lived in Cuba. The story starts with a description of where Cuba is located in the world, and then continues to review some brief information about the country overall. As the book progresses, readers are able to delve deeper into Cuba’s local customs and routines.
Written from a child’s perspective, each page is loaded with facts that are easy for young readers to absorb. The book takes readers through Havana, the Castillo del Morro (an old Spanish fort), and the beach – providing details and history along the way. In addition to visiting these places, readers learn about daily life in Cuba and how families interact. Mami and Papi’s activities are described, such as an account of the delicious Cuban food that they have prepared. Readers also learn about the importance of sports and exercise in Cuba, especially baseball and boxing.
Peppered throughout each page are Spanish words, with phonetic spelling included. These words help solidify the authenticity of the cultural experience for the reader, and also help to engage young readers in Spanish as they learn all about Cuba. Ms. Roman has also included a glossary at the end of the book to aid in defining and practicing the Spanish words that were used in the book.
This book will appeal to those that have enjoyed other installments of the “If You Were Me And Lived…” series, as well as those looking for a glimpse into life and culture in Cuba. It is a delightful representation of the vivid and unique culture in this small island country, and is sure to inspire young readers to learn more about other places in the world – and perhaps encourage a visit to a charming island in the northern Caribbean.
About Carole P. Roman
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the Captain No Beard series. Both Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life and Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis have received the Kirkus Star of Exceptional Merit. The first book in the series was named to Kirkus Reviews Best 2012. Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis has been named to Kirkus Reviews Best of 2015. Each book in the series has won numerous awards including the NABE Pinnacle Award, IAN Award, Moonbeam Award 2014, National Indie Excellence Award Finalist, Shelf Media Outstanding Series Award, ForeWord Review Five Star and Finalist in the Book of the Year, and Reader’s Views Children’s Book of the Year 2013. Roman is also the author of the award-winning non-fiction culture series, If You Were Me and Lived in… that explores customs and cultures around the world. She has co-authored a self help book, Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing. She lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children and grandchildren.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. Carole P. Roman, the author of ‘If You Were Me And Lived In … Cuba,’ sponsored this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …