Author: Carole P. Roman
Publisher: Red Feather Publishing
ISBN: 978-1481979849


“If you were me and lived in Turkey here in Western Asia, you would officially call it the Republic of Turkey,” a child points to its location on the globe in Carole P. Roman’s children’s story, If You Were Me and Lived In … Turkey – A Child’s Introduction to Culture Around the World.

Part of the worldwide series, this twenty-six page paperback targets preschool to early elementary school aged children and readers who like learning words from other countries. With no profanity, scary scenes, or violence, the book would best be read to beginner readers based on some of the more complicated words. Colorful illustrations usually cover one side of the page with a nicely sized font wording on the opposite side. A page at the end of the book explains how to pronounce certain words but no English explanation.

Turkey is an interesting place if you live there. The reader learns that Ankara is its capital but Istanbul is the second largest city in the world and the only one that sits on two continents.

A unique place to visit is the Hagia Sophia, a church built by Emperor Justinian in the fourth century. Later it was converted to a mosque by Ottoman sultan Mehmet II and is currently a museum.

There are many different activities in the country such as playing soccer or attending Children’s Day on April 23rd where young ones pretend to govern the country for a day.

Favorite foods are borek, a pastry stuffed with meat, cheese, or potatoes, and doner kebab, which is marinated grilled lamb served with pide, a round bread.

The reader learns foreign words such as lira for money, bebek for a doll, and okul for school. (Turkish accent marks are included in the book, not in this review). Also taught are common names for boys and girls along with what to call parents.

Not written as a fictional story, this educational book is a simple way for a young child to learn about a foreign land, especially if he or she knows someone is living there or planning a trip to visit.

With so many countries around the world, one looks forward to future books in the series to learn more about a specific location.

Thanks to Red Feather Publishing for furnishing this book in exchange for a review based on the reader’s honest opinion.


Follow Here To Purchase If You Were Me and Lived in... Turkey: A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World (A Child's Introduction to Children's culture Around the World)