Books on Vacation

I write this as we drive to CA, where we’ll meet up with two of the three kids and both grandkids. The grandkids will fly so we’re toting the little bike, the stroller, tubs of legos and Playmobil and a random assortment of cars and plastic animals (the little ones which include a zebra, kangaroo, and velociraptor) and of course, books.

If you’re hitting the road, the sea or the skies with young kids this summer, you need to choose your books carefully. I asked my daughter, mother to a four year old boy and a nine month old daughter, how they do it. They’ve taken my grandson on over 30 flights in his first four years of life. “We aren’t experts by any means, but allowing boredom for imagination and having some good books helps a lot,” she said. “We try to do ones that have lots of stories in them, are thinnish, or have lots to look at.”

“We aren’t experts by any means, but allowing boredom for imagination and having some good books helps a lot. We try to do ones that have lots of stories in them, are thinnish, or have lots to look at.”

Now that the four year old is a little older with a longer attention span, short chapter books with illustrations are good, too. Can I just stop and say how giddy I am to see River’s reading expand into chapter books? Even more to share! Here’s a a few that have been winners.

Cars and Things That Go by Stefan Lohr

Check out all the books in this Wimmelbook series, there are a bunch, from dinosaurs and farm animals to airports or fire stations. Each one starts with a page introducing you to the characters and inviting you to look for them on each spread and tell their stories. I LOVE this. Obviously. The rest of the book is wordless, featuring super detailed scenes with lots to point out and notice. This book has gotten so much wear with my grandson’s is splitting from the spine. Note that the “Little Wimmelbooks” are board book format (great for travel, nice and sturdy!)

Stomp, Wiggle, Clap and Tap: My First Book of Dance by Rachelle Burk, illustrated by Alyssa De Asis

It may seem counterintuitive to bring along a book that encourages activity for a long trip, but you have to get your wiggles out sometime! Whether it’s between flights or at a pit stop, my daughter says, “we’ve used it to get some energy out at the airport or wherever we’re staying. It’s also very long but thin and light.” She’s right, it’s much longer than your standard 32 page picture book, so you get lots more opportunities to hop like a frog chasing a fly, whirl and twirl a hula hoop, or wag your tail like a happy pup.

Let’s Go Outside by Ekaterina Trukhan

This is one of the many titles that is part of the Indestructibles series, and they are great for littles who put everything in their mouth. They are thin instead of thick board book pages, so they’re easy to slip into a purse or diaper bag, and they’re made out of something magic that just won’t tear. Each book has only five double page spreads, but there’s always lots to look at, bright illustrations, minimal text, and opportunities to add your own stories as you study those pages again and again on long hauls. This title has been through two grandkids and is still going strong, not a single tear, and it’s been gnawed on plenty.

Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House: The Graphic Novel, Dinosaurs Before Dark, adapted by Jenny Laird, illustrated by Kelly and Nichole Matthews

My kids loved these books growing up! Now they’ve been adapted into graphic novels which are so beautiful, full of bright, colorful illustrations to pore over. The great thing about graphic novels is that there are lots of little frames to study. Non-readers will love these, and as they get older and start reading they’ll revisit them.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Toot the Horn by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard

Check out all of the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, I love, love, love these books and I’m so tickled that River is old enough, and willing, to sit through them. Full-color illustrations on every page capture the personalities and world, and the writing is simple and simply perfection. “Mr. Putter and his fine cat, Tabby, were neighbors to Mrs. Teaberry and her good dog, Zeke.” They have a lot in common, including music. They both love it. One day Mrs. Teaberry suggests they join a band.

Mr. Putter says he can’t play an instrument, and Mrs. Teaberry says of course he can because old people, “can do whatever they want.” But when Mr. Putter asks, “Can they say they can’t play an instrument?” she says, “No.” Ha! Off they go, looking for a band.

Wherever you and your band of merry travelers are off to this summer, whether it’s across the country or just across town, I hope these book recs help you fill your time well!

• we went through our pantry before leaving to toss expired stuff, and we tossed a lot of tea, but not the S’more’s Tea (Herb Tea for Happy Campers by Republic of Tea). Thank goodness. It is so, so good. It really does taste like s’more’s and it’s been my go-to pairing as I write my next book

• a new pair of cut-off jean shorts that fit just right, perfect for a road trip

• my husband’s phone popped up with an oldie but goodie photo of our kids laughing that always makes me smile-how can they be grown?

  

  

  My name is Meredith Davis, and I’m an award winning writer of middle grade books, a former indie bookseller, founder of the Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and graduate of Vermont College of Fine Arts with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Find teaching resources and author visit information on my website at www.meredithldavis.com. Mother to three, Nana to two, I live with my husband and a crazy doodle in Austin, Texas.