Do You Hear What I Hear?

We spend so many hours in our car that I've taken to calling it my virtual office. The kids have lap pads on which to do their homework on the way to appointments, rehearsals or practices. Some days it feels like we spend more time on Ellicott City roads than at home.

It felt like my family and I weren't connecting during this time, either. The kids wanted to play their Game Boys or listen to their iPods. My husband wanted to listen to sports talk radio. Sometimes —gasp — I wanted to have an actual conversation [insert eye roll here]. I decided this didn't work for me and searched for an alternative. And I found one — at the of the Howard County Library: stories on compact disc.

We've a system worked out where take turns picking our next story, that way I don't have to listen to too many fantasy stories and they don't have to listen to too many "classics." My youngest son will tell you his favorite audio book was The Pepins and their Problems while my oldest might say his has been The 39 Clues series, which we are currently finishing. I've been able to expand their reading repertoire by sharing my favorite childhood stories, which they would never check out from the library.

When you read a book, it is mostly a singular experience. But when you listen together as a family, it is a shared one. We plan what we'll listen to on road trips to see my parents or before heading out on vacation. Sometimes we agree to put our picks together so we can listen to a whole series. Running errands becomes an adventure as they jump in the car and ask, "Can we listen to the story?"

In addition to the tales mentioned above, some our favorites from the Miller Branch have been:

• A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
• A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements
• We the Children by Andrew Clements
• Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
• Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
• The Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage
• The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L.Konigsburg
• Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Did you know that reading aloud to your children can help increase their listening skills and attention span? It also helps boost their vocabulary, creativity, and  natural curiosity. Who says this positive effect stops at a certain age? Plus, sharing a great story, traveling to new places, and exploring together —all without leaving Ellicott City —sure can be fun!