During the summer, many people look forward to enjoying a good book on the beach. My family anticipates enjoying a good book in the car. On past road trips to Maryland and Maine, we've laughed as we listened to Stockard Channing's wonderfully funny readings of the Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary. My children actually groaned when we arrived home before the end of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass (performedby a full cast). But our favorite was probably Jim Dale's reading of Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The Starcatcher books are hilarious and engrossing adventure tales about the origins of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Captain Hook. They are certainly delightful books on their own, but Jim Dale's vocal characterizations bring them to sparkling life. If you've ever listened to Mr. Dale reading any of the Harry Potter books, you'll know that you often forget you're listening to only one man reading all the different parts.
So if you're planning a long car trip this summer, check out the audio book section of the children's library. Not only will they help the miles melt away, they're something the whole family can enjoy together. Even a storytime reader likes to have a book read to him every now and then.
