Road tripping and traveling in the car, whether it's a 45 minute drive to Grandma's or a 6 hour trip to a great vacation spot, necessitates engaging entertainment. This past summer I knew it was time to pop in a new audiobook when the backseat started getting rowdy, and every time a good book grabbed everyone's attention and quieted the car down.
These are books I've listened to with preschoolers and lower elementary aged kids, but many of the titles are great choices for older kids, too. Good stories are good stories, and I try to not overly judge a book on it's recommended age. I have organized the titles below from youngest audience to oldest audience. So far, our favorites have been:
"The classic fantasy trilogy of Elmer Elevator and the flying baby dragon has delighted children and their parents for generations. Now, on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary, Random House is proud to bring the three timeless tales together in one beautiful commemorative edition, complete with the original delightful illustrations. A Newbery Honor Book and an ALA Notable Book, My Father's Dragon is followed by Elmer and the Dragon ("rich, humorous, and thoroughly satisfying"*) and The Dragons of Blueland ("ingenious and plausible, the fantasy well-sustained"*). Each story stands alone, but read in succession, they are an unforgettable experience." *Library Journal, starred review.
"Mercy Watson #5: Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig: Eugenia and Baby Lincoln may live next door to a pig, but that doesn't stop them from living a gracious life. And the amiable Mercy Watson is equally determined to follow the delightful scent (and delicious taste) of the pansies her thoughtful neighbors are planting to beautify their yard. "Where have all the flowers gone?" shouts Eugenia, who is finally ready to take extreme measures --- and dial Animal Control Has Mercy's swine song come at last? Or will her well-pampered instincts keep her in buttered toast? Mercy Watson #6: Something Wonky This Way Comes: Mr. and Mrs. Watson and their porcine wonder, Mercy, are off to the Bijou Drive-In. What will happen when the Lincoln Sisters, Frank, Stella, and a gaggle of familiar characters get the same idea for a night out? With the tempting scent of hot buttered popcorn wafting through the air, everyone's favorite pig leads the way in this hilarious romp featuring movies, mayhem, and Mercy."
"Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring Brring The monster alarm Stopping monsters is no job for prim and perfect Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret: she's also the Princess in Black Can Princess Magnolia sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret? The Perfect Princess Party: Today is Princess Magnolia's birthday party, but just as her guests are arriving . . . The monster alarm Princess Magnolia runs to the broom closet and becomes the Princess in Black She rushes to the goat pasture, defeats the monster, and returns to the castle before her guests discover her secret. But every time Princess Magnolia is about to open her presents, the monster alarm rings again. Don't those monsters understand that now is not a good time for an attack? The Hungry Bunny Horde: Princess Magnolia and her unicorn, Frimplepants, are on their way to have brunch with Princess Sneezewort. But just when they arrive, Princess Magnolia's monster alarm rings. Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants transform into the Princess in Black and her faithful pony, Blacky. But when they get to the goat pasture, all they can see is a field full of darling little bunnies nibbling on grass, wiggling their fluffy tails. Where are the monsters? Are these bunnies as innocent as they appear?"
"The book that started it all Little House in the Big Woods is the first book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's treasured Little House series, which is based on her life growing up as an American pioneer.
Told from four-year-old Laura's point-of-view, this story begins in 1871 in a little log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Laura lives in the little house with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their trusty dog, Jack. Pioneer life is sometimes hard for the family, since they must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But it is also exciting as Laura and her family celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. And every night they are safe and warm in their little house, with the happy sound of Pa's fiddle sending Laura and her sisters off to sleep.
And so begins Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved story of a pioneer girl and her family. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America's frontier history and a heartwarming, unforgettable story."
"The story of a boy named Almanzo Wilder...While Laura Ingalls grows up on the western prairie, a boy named Almanzo Wilder is living on a farm in New York State. Almanzo and his brother and sisters work at their chores from dawn until supper most days -- no matter what the weather. There is still time for fun, though, especially with the horses, which Almanzo loves more than anything. Farmer Boy is the third book in the Laura Years series."
"Tucker is a streetwise city mouse. He thought he'd seen it all. But he's never met a cricket before, which really isn't surprising, because, along with his friend Harry Cat, Tucker lives in the very heart of New York City--the Times Square subway station. Chester Cricket never intended to leave his Connecticut meadow. He'd be there still if he hadn't followed the entrancing aroma of liverwurst right into someone's picnic basket. Now, like any tourist in the city, he wants to look around. And he could not have found two better guides--and friends--than Tucker and Harry."
“In the poor village of Fruitless Mountain -- where there is always lots of work to do and little food or time to rest -- a young girl named Minli decides to set off on a journey to find a way to improve her family's plight. Lin's story takes you on a magical adventure with a vivid setting and wondrous characters.” — Lisa Fabiano, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA
"Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life."
What audio books have you loved? What are you listening on your next trip?
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