Are We There Yet?
In America there are two classes of travel: first class, and with children. —Robert Benchley
Summer means family road trips and the best cure for the "are we there yet" blues is a great listen. Here are some picks sure to take the Griswold out of your summer vacation:
My current listen is one the whole family will love. I had read raving reviews about The War that Saved my Life but when I heard Jayne Entwistle was narrating I was sold. It only took a few chapters to stop thinking of her as Flavia and lose myself in Ada's world.
This new full-cast version of Newberry-winning The Graveyard Book will keep everyone on the edge of their seat (as far as their seat belt will let them, anyway) and may cause you to miss an exit or two.
My friend Monica (aka: family-audio-book guru) says The Book Thief is one her whole family loved (from her preschooler to her high schooler). I've always thought this book wouldn't be the best listen due to the drawings inside but once I heard Allan Corduner's voice, I changed my mind. My advice? Have the book handy in the car with you to follow along.
Harry Potter + Jim Dale = Audio Heaven.
Kenneth Branagh reading C.S. Lewis. Need we say more? The entire Narnia Series is narrated by fabulous British actors, in fact. If you want to read/listen to the books chronologically in Narnian time, begin with The Magician's Nephew.
For a more comprehensive list of family-friendly audio books, read here. Happy listening!