Works For Me: Audio Books

I love reading picture books aloud to my kids.  But I'm terrible at reading aloud for long stretches (such as chapter books)--I start to sound way too much like Ellie Mae Clampett.  I don't like to hear myself talk that much (my husband might beg to differ, but let's go with it.)

That's why something that's really working for me is audio books with the kids.  I enjoy it more, and they certainly do.  You can get them at your library for free, of course, or you can find a great selection at AudibleKids.  (Let's see...I could spend $20 on a 2-hour DVD starring, oh my word, chipmunks, or I could spend $20 on a 12-hour audio book starring, um, not chipmunks.  Easy choice.)

I just downloaded this, and I can't wait to listen with the kids.  I've heard great things about it, and I'm very sure that Lynn Redgrave sounds a lot better than Ellie Mae Clampett.

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Comments

[Brandy Brow]

I always forget about audio books. Thanks for the reminder. :-)

[Brandy of The Building Brows]

I always forget about audio books. Thanks for the reminder. :-)

[Michelle at Scribbit]

I would have entered for a shot at Darcy but I figured that my odds were about as good as having the real Darcy show up on my doorstep :)

[Brandy of The Building Brows]

And I always forget not to double click...

[Blue Castle]

My kids love audio books and cd programs like Odyssey, The Pond, etc. It's much better than tv or videos and they love listening to them. Great tip! :)

[Leslie]

Great tip - I can't wait to have kids to use it!

[franticallysimple]

My daughter falls asleep to an audio book every night. (After I read to her thankyouverymuch!)
Thanks for this great resource.

[LifeatTheCircus]

I remember listening to audio books in the car on long trips as a kid... ah the good ol' days before everyone had portable DVD players in their minivans!!

[LeeAnn (AKA FrazzMom)]

Since Teenage Daughter is visually impaired, downloadable audio books have been a Godsend... We love them!

[Green Baby]

Our family always checked out audio books when we went on long car trips growing up. We kids were always grateful for the diversion but I think my parents were the ones that were thrilled to have a break from the "Are we there yet?" inquiries from the back seat. As soon as my son gets a bit older, we'll begin the tradition anew. Thanks!

[Melanie]

We are loving audio books right now, too! My kids & I made a whole tape of us reading a ton of books--it's hilarious with their comments, and they like to listen to it at bedtime!

[Jen]

I think this is an awesome idea. I enjoy reading to the kids, but there are times when I could use a break. I'm thinking that maybe we'll start with the Harry Potter series. I still haven't read any of those yet. I feel like the only person on earth who hasn't.

[Julie]

My 8 year old son got the Chronicles of Narnia on audio CD for his birthday. He will sit in his room and listen for HOURS while playing Legos. Best gift ever!

[Runningamuck]

I LOVE audio books for our long road trips. I don't like to play videos for hours on end so the audio books are a fabulous break that still keep the kids (and me!) entertained. =0)

[CC]

I heart books on tape. For everything. I visually read 1 book for every 10 books I listen to on tape. All for free. From the library! It's the only way I'll do housecleaning!

[kelli]

We love audio books! When we moved from OR to Mississippi, we listened to the ENTIRE Narnia series on CD from Focus on the Family Radio Theatre.

If you can get your hands on them- do it. It's the best series I've ever heard put together.

[momrn2]

I see a few other people have already commented that they do this, but I check them out for a long car trip.

Of course we listen to them other times as well. Last summer we checked out Dr. Dobson's "Preparing for Adolesence". It was wonderful as it allowed the children and us to all hear the same thing at the same time and then discuss what we had heard!!

Great tip!

[Shanda]

You might want to also check out www.librivox.org for free downloadable books that are in the public domain. We've downloaded Little Women, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and treasure Island. It's an awesome resource.

[Audra Marie]

That's a great idea. I homeschool and we read aloud a lot - this would save my voice. :) We do listen to them on trips which is wonderful. :)

[Stretch Mark Mama]

Forget about Ellie Mae Clampett. I've done gone fallen asleep before my voice gets that bad.

"Scuse me kids...Mama just has to rest her eyes for a bit...we'll pick up the story in a bit..."

Said from a home schooling Ma who loves naptime, errrrr, Read Aloud Time.

[Faerylandmom]

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to be checking it out!

[Karen (Simply A Musing Blog)]

We borrow a lot of audio cds from the library - (especially when we are going to be driving anywhere for long periods) my kids LOVE the Boxcar Kids series.

[Ellen]

I'm going to have to start playing more audio books for the kids. I get exhausted after reading just 1 chapter out loud.

[Linda]

We use audio books a lot on road trips! Thanks for WFMW...this is my first time posting on it! Fun!

[kristine]

it's such a great option for people who don't like reading much