Are We There Yet???

Summer’s here, school is out, and for many families, vacation is right around the corner. The Travel Industry Association is predicting that Americans will make 330 million trips of 50 miles or more this summer.* Summer travel is the source of great memories for many people, but it can also be a challenge for families with young children, some of whom may be making their first long-distance trek away from home.

The Education and Social Science Library’s School Collection of children’s books has a number of resources for parents looking to help kids gear up for their summer trip, or combat boredom on the road.

* Source: www.tia.org [no longer active as of 2012]
Books About Travel

Wilson, Karma.
Dinos On The Go! 2004.
Dinosaurs ride everything from bicycles to airplanes as they travel around the world.
[Education S-Collection: Q.SE.W694d]

Neitzel, Shirley.
The Bag I’m Taking to Grandma’s. 1998.
In cumulative verses and rebuses a young boy and his mother have different views on how to pack a bag for a trip to Grandma’s.
[Education Storage: SE.N319b1998]

Rey, H.A.
How Do You Get There? 1997.
The author of Curious George invites the reader to guess the best mode of transportation for different places and destinations.
[Education Storage: SE.R328h1997]

Stephas, Kristi.
Flying Solo. 2005.
Six-year-old Ellie is flying alone for the first time, taking an airplane from Chicago to see her aunt in San Diego.
[Education S-Collection: Q.SE.St435f]

Moss, Marissa.
Amelia’s Are-We-There-Yet, Longest Ever Car Trip. 2006.
Ten-year-old Amelia keeps a journal of the summer car trip she takes with her mother and sister to Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and their California home town to visit Amelia’s best friend.
[Education S-Collection: S.M855ama]
**NOTE: an earlier edition, published under the title Amelia Hits the Road (1999) is also available in Education Storage (Call Numer S.M855ah1999)

Manzano, Sonia.
No Dogs Allowed! 2004.
When Iris, her family, and the neighbors take a trip to Enchanted Lake, everyone brings what they think is needed, but the family dog turns out to present a problem.
[Education S-Collection: SE.M319n]

Balan, Bruce.
Cows Going Past. 2005.
A family sees many different kinds of cows from the window of their car while on a trip.
[Education S-Collection: SE.B182c]

Walters, Virginia.
Are We There Yet Daddy? 1999.
A young boy describes the trip he and his father make to Grandma’s house, measuring how many miles are left at various points on the trip.
[Education S-Collection: Q.SE.w1715a]

Kotzwinkle, William.
Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise. 2006.
Because his farts create unpleasantness for everyone on a cruise ship, Walter the dog continues the journey in a lifeboat, but when the ship’s computer crashes, causing the liner to drift, Walter again proves himself a hero.
[Education S-Collection: Q.SE.K849wa]

Ricciuti, Edward R.
America’s Top 10 Natural Wonders. 1998.
Introduces ten unique natural formations in the United States, including the Grand Canyon, Devil’s Tower, and Niagara Falls.
[Education Storage: Q.S. 557.3 R359A]
Boredom Busters

Boatness, Marie.
Travel Games for the Family. 1993.
100 ideas for games and entertaining kids while on the road.
[Education Storage: S.794 B63T]

Treat, Lawrence.
Get a Clue 1: 25 Picture Mysteries. 1997.
Readers must solve a short mystery by looking for clues in the accompanying illustration. Answers are included.
[Education S-Collection: S.793.73 T71G]

Treat, Lawrence.
Get a Clue 2: 25 More Picture Mysteries. 1997.
More mysteries with clues in the illustrations. Answers are included.
[Education Storage: S.793.73 T71GE]

Gardner, Martin.
Classic Brainteasers. 1994.
A collection of over 70 classic brainteasers including problematic puns, word games, and optical tricks.
[Education S-Collection: S.793.73 G175C]

The Kid’s Book of the 50 Great States: A State-By-State Scrapbook Filled with Facts, Maps, Puzzles, Poems, Photos and More! 1998.
[Education Storage: S.917.3 K541 1998]

Pilkey, Dav.
The All New Captain Underpants Extra-Crunch Book o’ Fun 2. 2002.
Learn how to draw your favorite characters, tell cheesy jokes, and even make your own silly Captain Underpants story. Also includes a comic-book adventure starring Captain Underpants, Super Diaper Baby, and the amazing Diaper Dog.
[Education S-Collection: S.790.1 P639a]

Wise, Lenny.
The Way Cool License Plate Book. 2002
Offers license plate facts and trivia, vanity plate puzzles, and a wide range of license plate games.
[Education S-Collection: Q.S.793.7 W754w]

Wick, Walter.
Can You See What I See? Cool Collections: Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve. 2004.
Readers search for objects hidden in photographs of buttons, dinosaurs, robots, shells, cars, animals, leaves, beads, game pieces, and the contents of a junk drawer.
[Education S-Collection: S.793.73 W632ca]

Boredom Busters on the Web

The following sites offer printable activities and games including road trip bingo, connect the dots, scavenger hunts, songs, string games, and more!

Puzzles & Games: Travel Games & Games for the Car
101 Car Travel Games & Ideas for Kids
Family Travel Games for the Road