Portugal is Roman’s (If you were me and lived in…Russia, 2014, etc.) latest destination in her children’s book series, which previously covered Australia, France, Mexico and other countries around the world. Here she offers youngsters an overview of what daily life is like for Portuguese kids. Starting with a map that situates Portugal on the globe, Roman briefly provides information about its capital city, how the country got its name, and how many people around the world speak Portuguese. In a matter-of-fact but engaging way, she compares aspects of American kids’ lives to those of their peers in Portugal: “When shopping with avó (a-vo) [grandmother], she might buy you a Rooster of Barcelos (bar-chel-los). It is a beloved and colorful symbol of Portugal.” The author also mentions popular foods: “Grilled sardines would be another favorite fish. Arroz de marisco (ar-ros di mar-iz-co) is rice with lots of seafood and also greatly enjoyed. Why do you think there is so much fish on the menu?” More often than in other volumes, Roman asks questions throughout the text, which will keep kids engaged and help them understand what they’re reading. It also makes this a good book for teachers or parents to read aloud, as it encourages interaction. There are many colorful illustrations that help clarify scenes from the text; for instance, when Roman writes, “Maybe your baby sister would play with a boneca (bon-ec-a), while you watch television,” the illustration on the following page clearly shows a young girl playing with a doll. Roman has researched her topics well and focuses on only those facts that young readers might find interesting and relatable. Her series provides kids with a great introduction to the world’s cultures, and even adults may learn a thing or two as they read along.
An engaging read that teaches elementary-age kids about the similarities and differences between the United States and Portugal.