If you follow me on Instagram, every Monday I try to share a favorite thing or something that’s saving my life in my Stories. Adding to that list, something saving my–child transporting–life is audio books. The trek from Violet’s daycare to Jona’s school feels long. It’s not actually that far, but because of school traffic and the multiple school zones we pass, it takes a good 20 to 30 minutes. During Jona’s days of drop-off anxiety, audio books helped to relax him. Now the days of morning tears are gone, but audio books still help make that long drive a lot more fun. Here are a few books (and audio books) we loved last month.
{what we read in October}
{Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl} So far Jona’s two favorite chapter book read-alouds have been James and the Giant Peach and The BFG, so it was only right that we follow those up with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Also, the poor kid inherited my insatiable sweet tooth so I knew the subject matter would be a hit. This was a car ride audio book and we both loved every minute of it. It’s silly, sweet, and off-the-wall, and if you or your child haven’t read it, pick it up. We followed it up with the (1971) movie and Jona loved that as well. Even Violet has been singing “oompa loompa doompity doo” lately.
{The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog and It’s a Dog’s Life by John R. Erickson} We listened to the second and third installment of Hank the Cowdog on audio, and Jona continues to love this series. Luckily I find it pretty entertaining too, and thank goodness because there are a ton of these–and Jona keeps asking for more. We love Hank.
{If You Had a Jetpack by Lisl Detlefsen} What kid wouldn’t want his own jetpack? This adorably illustrated book explores what one creative little rabbit does with his. This one sparked lots of conversation about what Jona would do and where he would go if he had a jetpack of his own.
{The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer} In the past year Jona has gravitated toward non-fiction books when choosing his own library books. He loves learning about animals and nature, so I picked up this beautifully illustrated book all about the ocean and its inhabitants. Jona loved learning interesting facts about sharks, jellyfish, and other sea creatures, and I loved how easy it was to read. Sometimes my eyes glaze over when I’m reading some of his non-fiction picks (hello random book about migration… not my favorite), but this is one we both loved.
{Calvin Can’t Fly by Jennifer Berne} Calvin is a starling with a big family. While all of his brothers, sisters and cousins learn how to fly, Calvin spends his time reading. However, all the adventures he has read about can’t help him when it’s time for him and his family to migrate south–he’s the only bird who can’t fly! However, Calvin eventually proves that all his time spent with his beak in a book has been useful after all when he saves his family from a hurricane, something unfamiliar to everyone but him. He learned about them, of course, from a book! Two thumbs up from the both of us.
{Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez} This is another non-fiction pick, but it’s told in a narrative style about real-life scientist Joan Proctor. While other girls her age played with dolls, Joan studied reptiles, and even had an alligator for a pet. She grew up to be the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum, and after that she designed the Reptile House at the London Zoo. Jona loved this one because of all the reptiles of course. I appreciated that it showcases a woman in science, and I also like books that show children jobs that they maybe wouldn’t know about otherwise. Sure, kids hear about a person being a “scientist,” but fewer are likely familiar with “Curator of Reptiles” being a future career choice. Pretty cool.
We also read some Halloween books, including Stumpkin, Fright School, Mother Ghost, and Ginny Goblin Is Not Allowed to Open this Box.
Have you read any good children’s books lately? Do you like to listen to audio books, either with your kids, or for your own reading?
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