MotherReader

It would surprise no one to learn that I approach travel with reading up on the area. I’m addicted to travel guides — both the regular and the “with kids” variety. But I also like to involve my kids in the reading too, as I find it adds to the anticipation of the trip and can make it an educational experience. For those of you who remember the dry nonfiction books of our youth, know that it’s a whole new era in informational text, with many of them sporting amazing artwork or photography and a fresh approach to writing. So here are some ideas if you are headed to...

1. The Beach
Almost too easy, as the picture book section of your library will have tons of books about the beach and the ocean. Some will have some educational elements blended in, like Over in the Ocean. Check out the nonfiction section for books that talk more about what can be found on the shore — giving you a little scavenger hunt. There are tons of great books about life under the sea, including titles about specific iconic animals like dolphins (try Face to Face with Dolphins). Though I’d steer away from shark books, unless you want to spend your entire vacation explaining again and again how sharks are truly unlikely to swim in ankle-deep water.

2. The Mountains
Or maybe the woods, or wherever you might go to encounter Nature in all its glory. If you’re camping, bring along books for identifying trees, rocks, or wildlife tracks. You can also identify the many things that making camping exciting with S is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet. If you prefer your outdoors in smaller doses and will not be tenting it, make the hikes or even walks more interesting with Fun with Nature, by Mel Boring, which provides a guide to lots of different bugs, reptiles, animals, and trees.

3. The City
Many big cities will have at least one book about them, but they aren’t always the most engaging of titles. Some are certainly better than others, and I’d give the prize to New York City for having the best and most books that will enhance your trip. ABC NYC: A Book About Seeing New York City and 123 NYC: A Counting Book of New York City, by Joanne Dugan, pair photographs of letters/numbers in their city environment with pictures of urban representations of those letters/numbers. For city kids, it makes more sense to see H for “hot dog” instead of “horse,” and for visitors, it provides a checklist of things to notice about life in the city. Another great and more detailed book is New York, New York! The Big Apple from A to Z, which focuses on the attractions of NYC with added facts and point of interest. It’s like a kids’ version of those travel guides I love so much.

(This post was previously published at PBS Booklights.)

For me, summer means car trips and lots of them. Our family has gone the portable DVD player route at times, but the girls generally listen to music, read their books, or play Nintendo. But since they were little, we’ve always had some different kinds of books at hand for when traffic takes its toll or the batteries die.

Audiobooks are great for passing the time in the car and feeling like you got some book reading accomplished. I’ve found that the ones that hold our attention are either funny, adventurous, or familiar. With younger kids in the car, it can be difficult to find the book that works for everybody, so compromise must be employed. Personally, we’ve had the most success with the Junie B. Jones series. The books are funny, the reader is great, and the stories are familiar. It’s also helpful that each book is only about thirty minutes of listening time, so they are perfect for that last hour of a trip when everyone is getting cranky. For older kids, I’d also recommend A Series of Unfortunate Events, read by Tim Curry. Again, these work best when you already know the story as it makes it easier for everyone to follow along.

Question books can turn a long car ride into a wonderful opportunity to share stories and memories. Not sure what a question book is? Well, I may be making up the genre, as I’m only aware of two such titles for kids, but both are excellent. Ask Me features an interesting photograph or illustration on one page and a question on the other. Questions like, “What do you wish you could do really well?” and “Where do you like to hide?” Another title, Could You? Would You? by Trudy White, features whimsical drawings along with the questions. Sometimes the questions are offered alone, like “Would you like to dance with animals or look at plants?” But many times include follow-up questions or a few ideas to start you off. So, “What makes you smile?” lists pineapple and big goldfish in a pond. Both books are wonderful to start you talking to each other.

Find-It books are very popular, at least if my library requests are any indication, but a car trip is the perfect place for them. You may buy yourself a reasonably quiet hour only punctuated by an occasional “Found it!” The Where’s Waldo? series is famous, and the I Spy series by Jean Marzollo isn’t far behind. I’ve also seen these types of books for TV shows and movies, ocean life and museums. I keep one in the car at all times, because you never know when even a short trip can go terribly wrong — especially if you live in an area where the famous Beltway is involved.

(This post was previously published at PBS Booklights.)