Monday, July 16, 2012

Travel Books for Kids



Summer is a great time to travel to places you either don't go often or have never been before. This might mean visiting far-away relatives, traveling to another state or even flying to another country. It might even be discovering new places in your own town. This week's books are full of ideas about where to go, some things to do in the car and what to do when you get there.


PLACES TO GO and THINGS TO SEE
 101 Places You Gotta See Before You’re 12! by Joanne O’Sullivan
A lighthouse, an aquarium, a hall of fame – these are all places you’d expect to see in this book. But how about a faraway island, the teacher’s lounge or a special place to sleep? At the end of the book are addresses of some of the places. I agree with all the 101 places and think I’d better start adding some of them to my own bucket list!

 Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas by National Geographic
 I spent more time than I intended looking through this book. I stopped to read about states I've been in and states I'd like to go to. That's many states! Each state has 5 Cool Things to Do, Roadside Attractions, Traffic Laws You Won't Believe, a Boredom Buster and a map to study (I love maps). If' you're taking a road trip, this would be a great resource.

 National Parks Guide U.S.A. by National Geographic Kids
Are you off to visit a national park? Lucky you! This book gives some great tips and ideas. Each park description includes sections on Basic Facts, Ranger Tips (like Don't get too close to the edge.), Best Views, Dare to Explore and others.

 Map It! Topographic Maps by Ian F. Mahaney
I love maps and can spend hours looking at them. Topographic maps are fun because they show you when the land is steep and when it's flat. This book explains how topographic maps work and when to use them. Other books in this series:
Climate Maps
Physical Maps
Political Maps
Road Maps
Weather Maps

 Not-for-Parents New York City: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know by Klay Lamprell
This book gives inside information on New York City. It tells about the skyscrapers, subways, sports, superheroes, rats, Martians and more. There are other books in this series:
Not-for-Parents : The Travel Book
Not-for-Parents : Rome
Not-for-Parents : London
Not-for-Parents : Paris


CAR ENTERTAINMENT WITHOUT A DVD
 The Everything Kids' Travel Activity Book by Erik Hanson and Jeanne Hanson
This book has a lot of ideas: things to count (you'd be surprised), games (talking-type and writing-type), be a road detective (find out about your destination), read alouds, sing-alongs, cool stuff about the states and more.

 Kids Travel: A Backseat Survival Kit by The Editors of Klutz
This book comes with the directions you need, plus the supplies ( felt-tip pens, a pair of dice, a string loop, a 100 page activity pad and more). Since it's a Klutz book, it has great instructions. There are lots of Klutz books. Here are a few that would probably work well in the car:
Bookdoggle: A Book of Lanyard & Lacing
Braids & Bows
Draw the Marvel Comics Super Heroes
Friendship Bracelets
Cat's Cradle: A Book of String Figures

 Travel Doodles for Kids by Anita Wood
If you like to draw, this book is for you. The pages are filled with pictures that are started, with a prompt, and you just need to finish it up. Funny is good here! An example: What's making everybody itch in Scratch Ankle, Alabama? There are also pages to keep track of things to count.



 IT'S A BIG WORLD
If you will be traveling to other countries, the next books may help you learn about the places you are going to. If you are staying closer to home, they will help give you a sense of life outside your own country.
 Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel
Sixteen photographers traveled to 30 countries to live for a week with families  in that country. At the end of each visit, the photographer shot a bunch of pictures, including a portrait of the family outside of their home, surrounded by all of their possessions. For some families, there are just a few things. For others there are lots. This book gives a good look at how people live all over the world. Also by this author:
Hungry Planet: What the World Eats
What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets  

 Children from Australia to Zimbabwe: A Photographic Journey around the World by Maya Ajmera and Rhesa Versola
This must have been a fun book to create! There is a country for each letter of the alphabet. The authors had to choose only one country for each letter, which must have been hard. Although there is plenty of information, I liked the pictures best. They show kids living their lives and having fun. Another book by this author worth looking at:
Children of the U.S.A.

 Wake Up, World: A Day in the Life of Children Around the World by Beatrice Hollyer 
This book shows 8 children from 8 different countries: United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, Ghana, Russia, Vietnam, Australia and India. It begins when they wake up and follows each of them through a day. We see them eating, in school, playing, helping others and going to bed. Similar books by this author:
Let's Eat: What Children Eat Around the World
Our World of Water  

 A Life Like Mine: How Children Live around the World by UNICEF and DK Children
This book presents 18 children and explores what life is like for them. It’s organized into four parts – Survival, Development, Protection and Participation. It has a ton of photographs, plus maps and children's quotes. This is my favorite of the books in the It’s a Big World section. Also by UNICEF and DK Children:
A School Like Mine


If you are traveling this summer, I envy you! While I'm staying close to home this summer, these books have been endless fun for me to read. Bon Voyage!
Gail

No comments:

Post a Comment