Family Friendly Audio

Pipestone County Star 07-17-2014

Ah, the joys of long family car trips.  Having just done one, it went much better than I expected, but I let my kids watch DVDs and I drive a mini-van, so there’s space.  But if you don’t have a DVD player or very much space?  Audio books are possibly the best way to go!  So here are a few choices that everyone in the family could listen to, kids and adults alike.  I have listened to all of these with my children (ages 8 and 9 now, though probably closer to 6 and 7 when we started books on tape), and I can vouch for all of them being a good listen.

Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles: The Nixie’s Song (Book 1), by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

Two kids, thrown together by circumstance when their parents married.  And the girl brought a book with her, a book that is heavy and full of pictures of fairies, which everyone knows aren’t real, right? Think again, kid!  Once you know, and once THEY know you know, you can’t go back! Read by Andrew McCarthy, of brat pack fame.

Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo

There is a supermarket in Florida named Winn-Dixie, and ten year old India decides to name the stray dog she’s adopted after the place where they met.  India has just moved to town and feels a little lost.  But before too long, India and her father, with some help from the dog, realize that life is so much more wonderful than they thought it was.  Read by Cherry Jones.

Millions, by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Damian Cunningham was certainly not expecting a bag filled with money to drop out of the sky at his feet.  He wasn’t expecting to be rich, but it all comes with a catch – he and his brother only have seventeen days in which they can spend the money before it isn’t even worth the paper it was printed on.  And that’s not all – the money was stolen and the men who stole it want it back.  Read by Simon Jones – a warning: the movie made me cry.

Harry Potter series, by JK Rowling

Though most people have read these books, I discovered that the audios are fantastic!  The reader, Jim Dale, does voices and is incredibly entertaining.  Plus, there’s seven of them and some of them have a LARGE number of discs, so this is something that can last a very long time.  Join Harry on his journey through schooling at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and his quest to destroy Lord Voldemort.  These audiobooks are the best!

Geronimo Stilton series, by Geronimo Stilton

These books center around a mouse reporter and the crazy capers he gets up to, usually crazy adventures in far off places.  The stories are short and there are three in each volume.  These are great for younger children who can’t follow too intricate of a plotline.  Read by Edward Herrmann, they are sure to entertain.

A Series of Unfortunate Events (Series) by Lemony Snicket

These are multi-voice recordings, meaning there is more than one reader.  While the main narrator is Tim Curry, others read with him, portraying various characters.  These books come with a warning, that if you can’t handle “a tragic fire, a nefarious villain, itchy clothing, and cold porridge for breakfast,” you best find something else.   These books are humorous in a rather dark and gothic kind of way and are thoroughly enjoyable in audio.

SRP Update: The Summer Reading Program sign-up has started with weekly activity days starting June 17^th (Tuesday) at 2:00 PM.  Activities will continue on Tuesdays until the end of July.

PAFL Update:  Pipestone Area Friends of the Library is looking for members – anyone who is a friend to Meinders Library is welcome to join!  The Friends group works hard to promote the library, raise money for projects, and organize their yearly book sale, in addition to the HUGE amount of support they provide throughout the year.  Call for the date of their next meeting.

If you have questions or have a book you’d like to reserve or renew, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (507) 825-6714.  The summer hours for Meinders Library (starting Memorial Day weekend) are Monday through Thursday from 10 AM – 8 PM, and Friday from 10 AM – 5 PM and Saturday from 10 AM - Noon.  Meinders Community Library is located at 1401 7^th Street SW, on the south side of the high school.