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Friday, January 10, 2014

The Success of Audio Books

I've never listened to any audio books because I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as reading the book myself. I didn't think I would pay enough attention to someone else reading a book and would end up multi-tasking (or letting my mind wander) and not really paying attention the storyline.

I know some people enjoy listening to audio books while driving, but I haven't done that either because I figured I would be paying attention the road and miss half of what was being read to me.

This Christmas we drove to Maryland and like I usually do before long trips I went to the library. I try to check out a couple of new-to-them movies for Kayla and Lucas for the road trips.

I wandered over to the audio books and wondered if they would enjoy listening to books being read on the road trip. I wasn't sure how it would go over as we haven't done that before ... and I thought they would be looking for something on the DVD screen when the voices started and would be disappointed that they weren't watching anything, but had to just listen instead.

It was the best thing I could have done. The audio books on CD were a big hit with the kids. It was probably the quietest 8 hrs we've had while driving to Maryland, and back. There was no complaining, no whining, no asking for snacks every five minutes, no bickering, no 'he did this-she did that' to listen to. It also felt like the fastest 8 hrs it's taken us to get there!

I've read Judy Blume's Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing to them (and they saw the play), so I picked up Fudge-A-Mania for the trip (not paying attention that SuperFudge was next in the series, but oh well!). The book got us through the first 4 hours of the trip and to our pit stop destination for lunch.

I also checked out A-Z Mysteries (didn't get to listen to those stories) and The Magic Tree House, which contained the first 8 books (got through those on our way back home).

What a nice change for something different to do on road trips.

The success of that gave me an idea for helping to pass the time going to Kayla's vision therapy (VT). I pick the kids up from school 2x a week and we go directly to VT (30 min drive one way). So for 2 hours of the week we are spending on the road to and from VT I am going to be checking out more audio books from the library. We've already finished SuperFudge and are half-way through Judy Blume's The Pain and The Great One.

Besides more Magic Tree House and Judy Blume, I've seen several Beverly Cleary audio books at the library, but I recognize her name since I used to read her books when I was kid. What are some other great children's authors that would be fun for the kids to listen to? I got a couple suggestions from FB and am making a list now, and am looking for some more recommendation.

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

My daughter and I, 1st grader, have worked our way through the Little house on the Prairie series.

Micernice said...

Harry Potter!!! And The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Sabrina Steyling said...

I love listening to kids' audiobooks because, in all honesty, adult stuff is too long! I'm like you, I'd end up being distracted or doing other things while listening and not paying attention to the story (I tried "The Shining" once and I zoned out completely, even though I love that book). My love Beverly Cleary's Ramona books, and I also love the Mercy Watson books by Kate DiCamillo ("Because of Winn-Dixie). I bet Kayla and Lucas would enjoy those because they're really funny! :)

ahoy.jenni said...

Good suggestions thanks. I have listened to audio books before and I quite liked it but I hadn't thought of them for a road trip for kids. I'll check it out at our library,thanks again!

ahoy.jenni said...

Good suggestions thanks. I have listened to audio books before and I quite liked it but I hadn't thought of them for a road trip for kids. I'll check it out at our library,thanks again!

Anonymous said...

The Indian in the Cupboard series,
Roald Dahl books,
Fairy tales, fables

jp said...

If you have a smartphone or an ipod, you can download the Overdrive app and access the e-audiobooks from your library's website. The Boxcar Children are a good series.

Bailey's Leaf said...

My K loves audiobooks. I know that she has listened to Little House on the Prairie, Geronimo Stilton, many of the American Girl books, and Star Wars. I'm sure that she's listened to many more, but I can't think of them right at the moment. She loves to listen to them as she works on homework (she's not a need of silence kind of kid) and she listens to them when she's in bed or playing.

They are wonderful!

CMSavage6 said...

Piper Reed, Navy Brat by Kimberly Willis Holt. I'm sure they would be able to relate to some of it. There are a few in the series and they are very enjoyable.