I love history. It started as a kid breathing in the book air of the library....all the bios, all that once was.....i found intriguing. Of course back in the olden days there were not many choices for kids. I can only WISH we'd had a Carole Roman.
This is another one in her fascinating series..she lures you in, keeps it simple and interesting. I dare anyone of any age to read her books, and not finish with some sort of new knowledge. For instance, in this one i found out where the phrase "raining cats and dogs" comes from.....thatched roofs!
Simple short and fun. ( )

Roman has found a way to teach children about our great history in a fun and engaging way. Most elementary-aged children have no idea when the Elizabethan time period was or frankly, had most likely never even heard of it. Through this series, Roman is introducing children to an important piece of the history that formed our world.

Children would be surprised to learn how small the homes were and the children usually shared beds with their siblings. Now it seems rare for children to even share a room with their sibling.

I never knew that the saying "It's raining cats and dogs." came from this time period. I always wondered what it meant and Roman shares that in this book. Again, the number of clothing layers would likely surprise most children, especially in the summer. I think they will be grateful that clothing styles have changed considerably.

Tabor has done an excellent job of creating detailed pictures pertinent to the time period. Expressions on faces and details in scenery and clothing give children much to look at while reading through the book.

Having this background of the Elizabethan Era will help students as they begin to learn about William Shakespeare in school. The biography of famous people and glossary in the back of the book will also offer more information for children who would like to know more. ( )

This new series of children's books, An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time, is very special. They are geared elementary students and perhaps on into the early middle school grades. Former teacher Carole P. Roman is in her element when she introduces children to cultures and to various periods of history. This series incorporates wonderful factual information throughout the story while immersing the reader as the "You" in the story.

So much happened during in Elizabethan England and, author Carole P. Roman writes interestingly of much of those years in the late 1500s to early 1600s. This was an important literary period. Drama and stage productions became important and William Shakespeare wrote his many important works. This was also an important period of discovery and establishment of the wealthy merchant class.

As Ms. Roman tells the story of these developments, the reader can place himself right at the center. He or she will learn that the education was vastly different for boys and girls. Only one child in a lower class was educated and only a boy. Education for girls was solely homemaking skills. The reader will go through what a day in the life of a child during this period was like. Life for a child in Elizabethan England was filled with activity.

The illustrations show vast differences in wealthy and commoners' clothing. Living conditions were vastly different as well. The dark, cobbled, and dirty streets of the city are clearly pointed out. This provides a good opportunity for children to be enlightened as to our current living conditions contrasting with those of Elizabethan England and why the improvements we have are so very important.

I especially like the emphasis on food and food preparation during this period. Contrasting the lower class and wealthy or upper class's style of eating and foods available to them is clearly an important lesson for children of today to learn.

Queen Elizabeth I was a protestant yet she was somewhat tolerant of those of Catholic faith. During this period, usually a country was one faith or the other and intolerant of differing faiths.

I especially like the sections in the back of the book. There is a really nice section with pictures and short biographies of famous and important people during the period. And lastly, the wonderful glossary.

This is an excellent resource for the home or classroom library. More sturdily bound editions would be wonderful in children's school libraries and the children's section of public libraries. While ideal for the elementary age child, entire families can benefit in reading this story about Elizabethan England.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and I was not compensated. ( )

I received a copy to facilitate my Review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

The author has given us a look at a time called Elizabethan times. This was when Elizabeth the I was queen. The author has done a great job comparing and contrasting the life of the poor to the wealthy. She also showed major differences between life in the city and the country. In the back of the book she has included a small biography of eight very important people who lived during the Elizabethan period and what they contributed. There is also a glossary included to help explain unfamiliar terms. ( )

If You Were Me and Lived in ...Elizabethan England by Carole P Roman is a great book for kids to learn and really enjoy history! I was amazed at how she made history so simple and seen through the child's eyes as she walks the reader through all aspects of life during this time. She discusses possible names, food and drink, play, education, what they wore, housing, religion, and their currency. Where "raining cats and dogs" phrase came from and more. The illustrations are great and helps piece things together. A very detailed and informative book with important people of the day listed in the back of the book. I enjoyed this book myself and know my grand children will too. I received this book for a honest review. ( )