My Ultimate: Driven to Distraction

("My Ultimate" will run most Tuesdays and will feature any topic that hops into my head.  The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the other New England Mamas. . . although they should).

I have a confession:  I'm one of "those" people who believe the following:

It's hard to be a book lover with kids around all the time, though.  They just don't seem to understand that I need undisturbed peace and quiet to really enjoy a book.  Couple this with my slight addiction to the computer and Intervention, and you can see that reading for pleasure is not something I get to do very often anymore. 

I do love to read to the kids, though, which scratches my itch to some extent.  One other way is to listen to audio books in the car with them. 

Last November, I posted a list of books we had listened to in the car.  We've got a few more to add to this list, and I thought I'd put them all here for you to see in case you are considering doing this with your kids (or already do, and just need some new titles for consideration). 

To successfully enjoy an audio book, you do not need to schedule it around a long car trip.  Even a 10-minute ride can be enough to get started or to enjoy a chapter.  Also, it isn't necessary for the kids to be totally engrossed all the time.  Some books start off slow or have parts that drag.  Finally, we've listened to books for slightly older kids---about age 9---without too much trouble.  Plus, it is much more enjoyable to listen to a book that is above your child's reading level, especially if your child's reading level is at the Bob Books.

Here is the list of audio books we've listened to so far.  Some of it is reprinted from my earlier post, with newer titles at the end.  All of these titles, in audio book form, were borrowed from our library.

The Little House Series: If you want to commit to audio books, this is a great way to start. Beginning with Little House in the Big Woods and ending with The First Four Years, we listened to ten separate audio books about Laura Ingalls and her family (one of the books, Farmer Boy, covers Almanzo Wilder's younger years). This is pretty safe stuff for young kids to hear; some mild corporal punishment and loads of drama---after hearing The Long Winter, I vowed that I will never, ever complain that my car does not heat up fast enough on a snowy morning.

Charlotte's Web:  Even if you know this story inside and out, or have seen the movie on the big screen, this is well worth a listen. Read by the author himself, E.B. White has a wonderful voice that brings his characters to life. Belly and I both wept when Charlotte died.

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew:  I probably would not have been able to sit down and read this as a chapter book. However, as an audio book, its 'quaintness' and formal speech are easier to digest; we really did grow fond of this story. However, remember that language has changed quite a bit in the past 100 years and do not take a slurp of coffee as the narrator reads, "Joe ejaculated . . ." In this case, "ejaculate" means "to exclaim". Now get your mind out of the gutter.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn:  This is where I wish I still had a brain. Nothing like putting in a CD and wondering, "hmmmmm. . .what age is this book written for?" just as the "N" word is uttered into the confines of our minivan. "Ejaculate, I mean, eject that disc rightaway! Sorry kiddos! Nothing to see here". . .

The Trumpet of the Swan: How is it that I made it to the age of 40 and never even heard of this book? Another E.B. White title that is read by the author, The Trumpet of the Swan is the kind of story that gives me goosebumps when I think of it. The premise sounds ridiculous: a Trumpeter Swan named Louie is born without a "voice", i.e., he cannot trumpet. Despite this rather large handicap in the swan kingdom, he goes on to achieve great fame and fortune, and plays a pretty mean trumpet as well. You must hear this story.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle:  A sweet, short story about a mouse who communicates with a little boy. Oh, and there is a motorcycle, too.

The Secret Garden:  Starts off with a very unlikeable main character who goes through major transformations after being orphaned. Beautifully written and unforgettable.

The Magic Tree House Series: Book Listening Lite. Easy to understand with likable characters who time-travel in a tree house. Got a bit sick of hearing the lead character say, "Oh, Man!" every time he was amazed, but my kids were entertained.

Peter Pan:  I was surprised at how much I disliked this story. First, it is WAY too graphic for young children---people are threatened with death, stabbed and even killed in large slaughters. Peter Pan speaks about mothers in a very derogatory way, and comes across as a little prig. I had seen Peter Pan performed on stage when I was 6 (Cathy Rigby was Peter Pan), and remember it as delightful. The book itself? Not so much.

A Little Princess:  By the same author of  The Secret Garden, there are a few similarities in this book (both star an orphaned girl from India living in England). I knew my daughter would love this book based on its title, but the heroine in this story is more kind and quirky, than royal and aloof.

Island of the Blue Dolphin:  I almost turned this off a few chapters into it because there are a couple of scenes that are tough for little kids---I ended up turning the volume way down to the front speakers so that I could only hear it---but, I'm glad we stuck with it.  This book is an incredibly beautiful story of survival, friendship and determination.  In hindsight, probably best for kids 8 and older.

The Tale of Despereaux:  Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread:   Hands-down, one of the best audio books we have heard.  The  reader does an amazing  job bringing the characters to life with distinct personalities and quirks.  I hope to listen to this book again and again.   

The BFG:  Totally adorable and sweet story about a little girl and the (Big, Friendly) Giant.  Please note that the other giants are pretty gruesome, as they eat people out of their beds at night and have names like "Bonecruncher" and "Fleshlumpeater".  Otherwise, a delightful, laugh-out-loud story.

The Meanest Doll in the World:  My daughter received The Doll People, as a birthday gift, and we decided to listen to this sequel in the car.  If you are someone who was always fearful that your dolls were alive (or if you've ever watched any of the Chucky movies), you may want to stay away from this series.  We found them to be enjoyable even if, now, I cannot look at my daughters' dolls without wondering. . .

Anything by Jim Weiss:  Jim Weiss is an amazing storyteller, and we own a few of his CD's on Greek Myths, Old Testament Stories and the Arabian Nights.

If you have any suggestions for us, please leave them in the comments.  We're always looking for the 'next' book.

Comments

[Kate]

Oh, my word, you are brilliant.

We're going to Florida on Friday, and I was casting about for something to entertain the kids on the flights. My computer battery won't support a full DVD playing, and I want to keep it compant and something unusual... and our local library has free MP3 downloads of audiobooks. BRILLIANT.

I love you.

(P.S. I'm also addicted to "Intervention." Is that ironic?)

[cheryl]

Bunicula
by James Howe

is another great read/listen. It has a mystery genre to it.

[margaret]

SO far, our audio books have been of the 10 minute variety, but if we plan a long car trip, I may try to get a longer one and try it out!

[AlphaDogJimHawkinsMa]

My kids can recite huge passages of Treasure Island thanks to audio books. And they are cultivating AWESOME pirate accents.

I'm going to check of Jim Weiss. Thanks for the tip.

I do get creeped out by dolls coming to life. Toy Story is a nightmare for me.

[jenny]

So you guys liked Desperaux? That was one we just didn't get into. I'm a little afraid of the doll stuff too but love all the suggestions for new listening...

[pinks & blues girls]

Those titles you listed... they make me wistful for the time in my life when I was required to read them and basically just got through them because it was the assignment. I'd love to re-read all of those books now that I would appreciate them so much more!!

Jane, Pinks & Blues

[Jennifer, Snapshot]

The Penderwicks is a GREAT book for all ages (one able to listen to a story on up to easily 12 or older--I loved it). I can't speak to the audio book, because we read it, but I know that they do have one. There's also a second book coming out in April featuring this family of girls from age 4 on up to a teen (and their boy sidekick and a big shaggy dog).

[Jennifer, Snapshot]

The Penderwicks is a GREAT book for all ages (one able to listen to a story on up to easily 12 or older--I loved it). I can't speak to the audio book, because we read it, but I know that they do have one. There's also a second book coming out in April featuring this family of girls from age 4 on up to a teen (and their boy sidekick and a big shaggy dog).