Tuesday, December 26, 2017

If You Were Me and Lived In...Viking Europe by Carole P. Roman & illustrated by Mateya Arkova

My thoughts: As 2017 winds down and we look forward to the restart of school in January 2018, it's time to focus a bit on educational items. Carole P. Roman is a former school teacher with emphasis on social studies. She has produced a plethora of books on countries across the globe and introduced young readers to cultures and geographical information about the countries.

Venturing into the ancient world to continue her "If You Were Me and Lived in....." series the author looks at life in Viking Europe and the year is roughly 890 A.D. While ideal for elementary students those in the early middle school grades will find them interesting and profit from inclusion in their studies. Readers can immerse themselves into the story imagining what it was like to actually live during the period about which they are reading.

Geographically, the Vikings traveled far distances to plunder, enslave, trade goods, and to resettle. Their life style is described by the author examining that of the wealthy, those of low station, and the captured and enslaved populace.

The illustrations by Mateya Arkova use soft-toned colors which for an historical period of rugged, barbarian, seafaring and waring peoples is interesting. I think of browns blacks, greys punctuated with the blue of sky and sea and green of landscapes but not pastels or reds. The illustrations provide an interesting perception of the time and peoples.

The back pages include descriptions of gods and goddesses worshiped by these Viking, Scandinavian, Norsemen as well as some actual known historically important men and women of this long ago era. The pages of words defined and with pronunciation guide are abundant.

Hard bound copies would provide good resource material for classroom as well as school libraries. But the soft cover book I reviewed is durable and well suited for the home library.

About the book: Hop in our time travel machine and join Carole P. Roman as she visits a Viking settlement in the year 890 AD. Learn what your name could be and the kind of food you might eat. Read about the different levels of society, how they affect where you would live, and the type of clothing you might wear. Mateya Arkova's beautiful illustrations illustrate what Vikings ate and their children did for fun. If You Were Me and Lived in.. Viking Europe is an exciting trip that shows a colorful culture through the eyes of a child.
GIVEAWAY
5 Winners each 1 Copy
Begins December 26
Ends January 17 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA addresses
a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the author to facilitate this review of my own opinions which are freely given. Winner's copies will be sent by author directly to the winners.

6 comments:

  1. I know the Vikings were not too good. They did a lot of bad things. I would Like Carol P Roman would write about the Settlers of America.
    Marilyn

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    1. Here is the Amazon link for Carole P. Roman's books. She has one written already about the settlement of America https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=carole+p.+roman - I have reviewed most of her books here on Chat With Vera.

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  2. (1) What do you know about ancient Scandinavians - Vikings, Norsemen? they did not seem to be good.

    2) What other ancient or very old civilization or peoples would you like for Carole P.Roman to write about? How about the settlers in Alaska

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  3. We are studying the Vikings right now in our homeschool! We just read today about how several different groups of them accidentally landed in Iceland through a period of about one hundred years. It was pretty fascinating!

    I'd love for Carole to write about the Golden Ages of India and Indonesia.

    Thanks for sharing at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com! Always a pleasure to have you!
    Tina

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  4. i know very little about vikings, i would like to see more information about ancient egypt

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  5. We love Viking history and several of our children have Scandanavian names! They were formidable warriors and intrepid explorers, for sure.

    I'd love to see a book about the Byzantines or the Minoans.

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