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Another installment to Carole P. Roman’s If You Were Me And Lived In...This time we are introduced to the ancient Mali Empire. These books are fun to look at and even parents/adults learn so much.

I had actually never heard of the Mali people nor that Mali means hippo. This empire had big trade routes and was known for them. They named their children names you often see in the Christian bible although they were Islamic and Muslims.

I am never sure the age that this series should be read. It is meant for kids but I learn so much as an adult as well. I just wish the content of what learn would stay in my head but that is a whole other issue.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Can not really go wrong with learning things. ( )

If You Were Me and Lived in...the Ancient Mali Empire (If You Were Me and Lived) by Carole P. Roman is another wonderful book in the series. This one seems longer and more detailed. I really learned a lot myself. It was really filled with lots of great information about what it would be like to live then for kids or adults. I wish my kids had these book when they were young, I am sure they would like history more. I wish I had books like this too! Wonderful books! ( )

It was refreshing to see a book on ancient civilization in Africa and specifically the country of Mali. In the 1300s life in Mali was different from that of today. There was a successful and wealthy ruler benefiting the country.

As with most cultures during the 1300s, children age 11 or 12 took on cares of the adult world. They were apprenticed, girls were given in marriage, and their childhood was ended. Sadly, this is something that remains unchanged in some cultures even today.

The girl in the book is instructed in what life would be like for her if she had lived in the Ancient Empire of Mali in Africa. Illustrated in the same hues as the landscape of the region, the pictures take on a rosy, sandstone coloration indicative of the area and touched with the vivid colors that the people of Mali like to incorporate into their clothes.

This book is instructive and interesting in that so little is know of this region and period of history in the annuls of Western Civilization. I think it quite enlightening and educational to read and would encourage the use of this small book as a starting point for further research. The end pages of the book, as with other "If You Were Me and Lived in...." books, include important personages and a wonderful glossary.

I encourage the incorporation of this volume into library collections for children and I highly encourage families of African-American heritage to get a copy for their own children's libraries.

I received a complimentary copy from the author to facilitate this review. I was not compensated and opinions are solely my own. ( )

I learned so much about ancient Mali from this book. Many of the people became Muslims. Men had many wives. There were major trade routes used for transporting salt and gold. A griot was a storyteller who memorized the history. This was one of the most important jobs and was passed down from father to son. The book also talks about the importance of each job and the people. There is so much history here that the book should be read multiple times to et it all down.
I received copies to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own. ( )