Wednesday, December 11, 2013

"If You Were Me and Lived in Norway..... Kenya...... : A Child's Introuction to Cultures" by Carole P. Roman (Review & Giveaway)


I previously reviewed the first three If You Were Me and Lived in ......." (A Child's Introduction to Cultures). The first three books were about France,  Mexico, and South Korea. Today we're going to look at two more - "If You Were Me and Lived in Kenya...... and Norway." (Read reviews here:  Mexico & FranceSouth Korea)

In today's world where people are traveling with much more frequency than ever in the past and even in America where we are seeing much more interaction with the various cultures and peoples of other nations, it is of vital importance that children learn about the countries, people, and customs around the world. I have felt for a long time that knowledge of the geography of this world and "social studies" - or study of people and cultures -
is abysmal in our educational system. So the introduction of this little series for the young child is a welcome change in that which has been so lacking.

As in the earlier books in the If You Were Me and Lived In.... series, an introduction to Kenya and to Norway each features a young brother and sister and their family. You see how the language  of that country in the series is distinct to the country.


In Kenya you say Baba for daddy and Mzazi for mommy and in Norway Pappa and Mama (kind of like Papa and Mama in English). You will learn across the world that the words for daddy and mama are very similar. However, that is not the case with other words in the various languages. You're welcome in Norway is Din Velkommen. A bit similar, but different.  You will learn about the colorful country of Kenya and especially the Massai peoples located in and near the large city of Nairobi. When you venture into Norway, you will see that it is a cold land and that the "days" are extremely long - hence the name land of the midnight sun.

Carole P. Roman is dedicated to helping children learn - good conduct, good behavior, and social studies. Her interest in children learning is further illustrated in her generosity in providing copies for families to read to their children. So be sure you enter to win a copy each of If You Were Me and Lived in Kenya ...... Norway.

GIVEAWAY: Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. You may be blessed to be the winner of a copy of each book (Kenya and Norway) that Carole P.Roman is so generously providing. I will choose TWO WINNERS FOR THIS GIVEAWAY. Begins December 11 & ENDS January 7  @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of each of these books was provided by the author to facilitate this review. Winner's copies are also provided by the author and will be mailed directly to the winners.

41 comments:

  1. I've visited assorted countries in Europe several times and have also visited Japan. I also enjoy reading about various cultures.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Nancy - You DID list all the countries about which Carole P. Roman has done her little cultures books, and I ACCIDENTLY deleted it from the Blogger comments moderation page. I am so sorry. It won't show here, but the Rafflecopter entry is intact so it counts. :)

      Vera

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  2. *not an entry* but just wanted to say we have read the France & Mexico books in this series & my 3 grandchildren enjoyed them!

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    1. So glad the "grands" enjoyed the books, Teresa. Did you win them here?

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  3. We took the kids to Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Netherlands recently and have also taken them to Canada but my familiarity with other cultures mostly comes from visiting San Francisco. For example, my friend was taken aback when several Chinese tourists crammed into the elevator we were in in Macy's in San Francisco but I explained to her that this is culturally normal in their country and I think that I knew this because similar things had happened to me before when visiting the City.

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  4. Mexico France Norway South Korea Kenya Turkey

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  5. I studied abroad in Latin America and have been to Canada. That's about it. I love to travel and experience new cultures vicariously through literature. I'm going to be a teacher so these would be an amazing addition to my classroom!

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  6. I would LOVE to win a set of these for my classroom.

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  7. I am not very familiar with other cultures, have never been or lived in another country, I am more familiar with some of the American Indian cultures and way of life because, I have cared for them as a nurse. But I think it would be wonderful to learn more about it.

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  8. Okie Dokie - Mexico, France, South Korea, Norway, TUrkey and Kenya are the countries of the If You Were ME and lived in .......books

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  9. Because of my job of the last 30 years, I have to say, I have had quite a lot of immersion into different languages and cultures. I work on the international floor of the Family History Library in SLC. I translate old foreign documents in many languages, teach classes and have many parties in a cultural theme. However, my grandkids have not had this type of exposure, and these books would help carry on the tradition of a multi-cultured society and world that we now live in.

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    1. Sonja- what a tremendous opportunity your work afforded to you. Be sure you share as much of that with your grandchildren as possible.

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  10. I've lived in Canada, Japan and Northern Ireland and have traveled through many more countries.

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  11. I am an adoptive mother so I have learned as much as possible about the birth country of my children. I feel like this is important to teach them to be proud of their heritage as well as to respect the country they currently are citizens of and living in.

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  12. not to much just from kids projects

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  13. Turkey
    Spain
    France
    Mexico
    Norway
    and
    Kenya

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  14. Great giveaway, Vera! Thanks for sharing it at Booknificent Thursday!
    Tina

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  15. These are wonderful books that teachers can share in the classroom to help further learning in social studies. Thanks for sharing these on the hop!

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  16. I have visited several countries in the past and would like to travel with my child when she is old enough.

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  17. I've never been to any other countries....but we have had the good fortune of being able to have au pairs (similar to nannies) from Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic to help us raise our 3 kids. We had them a number of years, became great friends, and our kids really benefited from the experience. One of our au pairs from Germany comes back to visit once a year. We just love her!!

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  18. Carole has written these books:
    Mexico, France, S. Korea (I have these 3)
    Norway, Turkey, and Kenya.

    I'd love for her to write about Germany, Poland, and Italy, too.

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  19. We are not familiar at all. Lilhottemomma@yahoo.com

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  20. Mexico France Norway South Korea Kenya Turkey

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  21. These books would be excellent for kids and their families to read and discuss similarities among people!
    I am still learning too!

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  22. Excellent books!
    We are more familiar with Central American countries.

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  23. I'm fairly familiar due to my transcultural studies in nursing and graduate school

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  24. Mostly from during my time in the Navy but also from some traveling since then, I've been to just about every country in the Middle East and Far East as well as quite a few other countries in other areas. I've always tried to visit areas away from the tourist spots as I love to see how the average people live, to be able to visit with them, and to try the local foods, etc. I also really enjoy learning some of the local language and I find that most people appreciate any effort to learn their language instead of expecting them to learn English.

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  25. Carole P. Roman has written cultural books on France, South Korea, Mexico, Turkey, Kenya, & Norway.

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  26. I know a little bit from reading, but I am by no means a cultural expert.

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  27. I have not traveled to many other countries, but I do love reading about other cultures.

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  28. France, Mexico, South Korea, Norway, Turkey, Kenya

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  29. I have been fortunate to visit many countries on the Mediterranean, Italy, Spain, France and even Tunisia in North Africa. Also, Mexico and many Caribbean countries. I love to learn about other cultures, customs and foods.

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  30. Mexico, France, South Korea, Norway, Turkey and Kenya are the countries she has written about. I have been to Mexico and France.

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  31. We've been fortunate to visit many Asian countries like Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines!

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  32. I've been to Italy, France and England. Italy surprised me the most due to the many differences in culture depending on where you were.

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  33. I have not been to any of the countries that Carole Roman has written about. I have been to England a couple of times because we were considering moving there as missionaries. I would love to share Carole's books with my grandchildren.

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  34. France, Mexico, South Korea, Norway, Turkey, Kenya.

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  35. I love reading about other cultures
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

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  36. I familiar with Philippines, Polish, and Hispanic cultures.

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  37. Thank you so very much we will enjoy these books, Have a wonderful day,

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