Living Books For History | Ancient Civilizations

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

As my kids and I are studying world history and geography, we find it fun to think about what it may have been like to live in another time and place. Kings, queens, ancient civilizations, warriors, and great adventures… our imaginations can run wild with the possibilities. With Carole P. Roman’s assorted series titled If You Were Me and Lived in… we get transported directly to different civilizations throughout time and present-day cultures around the world.

Carole P. Roman is an award-winning author, a mother, grandmother, and a former social studies teacher. She uses her knowledge and experience working with kids to bring her stories to life and make them enjoyable reads for children.

An Introduction To Civilizations Throughout Time

Sit back and enjoy your journey through time with this delightful series. The fun facts are easily digested, and my kids retain so much more information when they like what they are reading (versus rote memorization). The whole series is an excellent representation of living books because they make the past come alive and make you feel more connected to the story and the time periods.

If You Were Me and Lived in…Ancient China

The first book I had my daughter read was about Ancient China. We are currently exploring ancient civilizations, and I thought this book would be a fun introduction to what life would have been like in Ancient China. Inside, you’ll learn what kind of food you might eat in Ancient China, what colors could only be worn by royalty, what sort of names parents picked, and what children in the Han Dynasty children did for fun.

My daughter really liked this book. She thought it was interesting, the illustrations were good, and she enjoyed learning about this ancient civilization.

I have my kids do oral narrations after their independent reading time, and she was able to thoroughly tell me all about what life was like in Ancient China. She found it especially interesting to learn about how the ancients did schooling as well as the foods they ate.

If You Were Me and Lived in…the Mayan Empire

I chose this book for my daughter to read because we have been studying a lot of history throughout Europe and Asia, but we haven’t delved into the indigenous peoples of the Americas. If You Were Me and Lived in…the Mayan Empire was a great introduction to this amazing civilization.

Did you know the Mayans were the only ancients who left a written history? You’ll learn this and many more amazing facts when you delve into reading about the Mayan Empire.

Once again, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. There was so much fascinating information that was presented in a fun and appealing way that she finished the entire book in one sitting!

A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World

I want my children to be more aware of all the different cultures around the world. With Carole P. Roman’s award-winning If You Were Me and Lived In… children’s series, it is effortless to introduce the magic and wonder of countries everywhere.

If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia

If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia takes you on a stroll around Russia, where you come across some of the country’s most recognizable sites, including the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the Red Square. Kids will learn about Russia’s yummy delicacies, like borscht and caviar, before playing popular Russian games like chess and “fipe”— a game children may know better as “tag”!

While I found this book extremely interesting, my daughter didn’t enjoy it as much as the books about ancient civilizations. She said it wasn’t as much fun to read. I’m not 100% sure what made the other books better in her mind, but the two books we read about different cultures weren’t holding her attention as well.

If You Were Me and Lived in…Australia

The topics introduced in this journey to Australia include the unusual indigenous animals, the Great Barrier Reef, the currency, the game of cricket, the national holiday, Australia Day, the special nicknames people have for one another, and the curious taste sensation, Vegemite.

Again, my daughter wasn’t captivated by reading this particular book. She didn’t think it was unenjoyable; it just wasn’t her favorite read. I, however, found the information about this culture on the other side of the world very fascinating.

How To Use The If You Were Me Books

As much as we enjoyed reading these books, they are only one tool. They shouldn’t be used as your whole curriculum as they don’t include enough detail to dive deep into any of the cultures or civilizations. They do make a great introduction to any of the topics you are covering and can be a fun family read-aloud as you are studying the different ancient civilizations and/or cultures around the world. These books can help kids understand some of the concepts that they may be studying by condensing complicated material into fun facts that can be easily digested.

Read more great reviews for the entire If You Were Me and Lived in… series of books by clicking the image below!