Saturday, July 16, 2016

If You Were Me and Lived In...... Anncient China by Carole P. Roman, illustrated by Mateya Arkova

If You Were Me and Lived In...... Anncient China by Carole P. Roman, illustrated by Mateya Arkova is a new addition to
Romans' picture series introducing readers to a variety of civilizations.  Although this is formatted as  a picture book, it is much more than a simple picture book in its content and detail.  This new hybrid book concept blends the best of a picture book and history book.  What is created is  a full sized  history book for elementary and middle school students- complete with illustrations on each and every page.

 This illustrated history book will draw in the student to the world of ancient China.  The reader will become immersed in ancient Chinese tradition and culture.  The unique second person point of view will jump out at the reader making history memorable.  Roman has captured the culture and history in painstaking detail, reflecting years of research into this time period.  As a teacher, Roman has incorporated her love of history as well as her research which delves deep into the day to day life society and culture of ancient China.  We learn about the culture, the festivals and religious beliefs such as nirvana and Taoism.  We also learn about the Chinese calendar, philosophers such as Confucius.  This book is like an introductory course in China.

Unlike some of the other books in this series which feature illustrations and mixed media backgrounds, this picture book features pastel water color styled art.  Arkova's illustrations are more free flowing- with a softer focus. The pictures feature traditional ancient Chinese architecture, villages, richly styled clothing, brightly colored festivals including the bold, and a red festival dragon against a starry, well lit night sky.  The unexpected artistic style of this book gives the Roman historical series more of a variety. I'd recommend any student who wishes to explore history to read these books.  I believe history teachers will also enjoy having this series of books in their classrooms.

 Additional books in this series include Elizabethan England, Ancient Greece, and Colonial America and are available through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

No comments:

Post a Comment