If You Were Me and Lived in...Italy: A Child's Introduction to Cultures
Around the World by Carole P. Roman 30 pages
Author Carole P. Roman takes
her 16th book in the “A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the
World” to Italy. Along with illustrator Kelsa Wierenga, Roman explores what a
childr’s daily life would be like if he/she lived lo Stivale or “the boot.”
Along with the
mini-geography lesson, readers also receive a mini-history lesson and
experience daily life, from football (do they really call it football in
Italy?) to going to Nonno and Nonna’s house for Sunday dinner.
I like that Wierenga chose
to illustrate the book with both a boy and a girl. I also like the
pronunciation key for the unfamiliar words.
I give If You Were Me and Lived in...Italy: A Child's Introduction to Cultures
Around the World 4
out of 5 stars. Why 4? The part about the football really bothered me.
If you are referring to soccer, most of the world refers to it as football. Our football is referred to as American Football.
ReplyDeleteBut in Italy they call soccer "calcio", not "football" or some derivative ("futbol", "fussball", "fotbal", "fadbold", "voetbal", "jalkapallo", etc.) - a more literal translation of "calcio" would be "kickball" or "the kick game". The name derives from Calcio fiorentino or Calcio storico, which is a Renaissance sport resembling rugby more than anything else. Watching Calcio storico on YouTube, it should be called "the street brawl game".
DeleteAmerican football, on the other hand, is called "football americano". As a result, it is sometimes referred to as simply "football".