Sweetwater Style: Stay Sane On Your Road Trip-Read Aloud To Your Kids!

The latest post on Infarrantly Creative will give you some great ideas on how to keep your kids happy this summer, and it is a great read.
Let's be honest, the subtext of any article like this is "How do I keep my kids from driving me crazy?"

Are you and the kiddos heading out on a road trip for the holiday weekend or anytime soon?

I would like to suggest that when the going gets tough...the tough have some tools in the parenting toolbox. You don't need fancy electronic toys or DVD players to keep your kids happy. Just get yourself to the library or the Kindle eBook Store. Choose a great book to read out loud on your trip.

Here are some of my favorite read-aloud books for kids of all ages. (Oh-yeah, remember that have been a School Media Specialist for a bunch of years and have just a tad of experience on this topic)
Your kids have probably already packed books of their own to read to themselves.
The books on this list are for you (the adult) to READ TO THEM!

There is documented evidence that when we read out loud to our children there are huge payoffs. Reading aloud is, according to the landmark 1985 report "Becoming a Nation of Readers," "the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading."

If you want the ivory tower version, read this article about how and why to read with pre-schoolers.

Okay...that sounded a lot like an "old lady librarian" talking....so enough of that!

...on to the list!
Favorite Authors:

Beverly Cleary

The Mouse and the Motorcycle a special favorite with boys
Ramona and the other books in the series about this lovable and a little naught little girl.

Megan MacDonald

your kids will love Judy Moody -maybe you know a little girl who has "mad-face moods"
Judy's little brother Stink has his own books

Kate diCamillo

The Tale of Despereaux -this Newberry Award winning book is far better than the movie
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Toulane-the plot of The Odyssey in a children's story

Favorite Titles:

The Doll People -The Meanest Doll in the World by Ann M. Martin-I think every child believes that dolls have secret lives and in these books they do. The dolls also have some pretty amazing adventures.
The Twins, The Pirates, And The Battle of New Orleans by Harriette Robinet -Twin slave boys stranded in the Louisiana bayou set out to find their father and meet Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte along the way. This is historical fiction at it's best.
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck-great for race car fans with a great opening chapter. I love the strong female protagonist in the story.
Bridge to America by Linda Glaser-The fictionalized story of a real Duluth, Minnesota resident who overcame some amazing hardships to leave Poland and come to America. Filled with action packed scenes that are sure to capture your imagination.

If you DO have a Kindle, don't forget to look at all of the free titles. Some examples are:Treasure Island, Little Women, The Jungle Book

Remember that you can download a sample of any Kindle book and start reading it to see if you like it...beware...your kids will probably beg you to buy it if they get hooked.

I will do a whole post with recommended book lists from lots of people and organizations. another day. Until then, if you have a favorite read-aloud title, add it in a comment for all to share!

I am thinking that "....are we there yet?" might just turn into "........awwww are we there already?"