Gone Flying, Must Bring Books

As I pack my family for another trip across the country, I can't help but think of the road trips I took each summer growing up. We'd head either out West to see our extended family or up the East Coast on camping adventures. And along the way Mom or one of my older siblings would read to us. Lots of Roald Dahl (isn't he wonderful?). I distinctly remember my mom reading Danny the Champion of the World and being so engrossed in the story that the car trip flew by as I was busy poaching pheasants and out smarting the town's nasty rich guy, what was his name? What a dream to live in a caravan with a father whose eyes smiled.


Tomorrow we'll be traveling by plane, 3 of them, in fact, and although I'm making sure we have enough underwear and matching shoes, I'm also packing my suitcase full of books (in addition to my Kindle). Big Nate and Pendragon for my 8-year-old, Fancy Nancy and Little Bear for my 6-year-old, the Berenstain Bears and Dora for my 4-year-old, and the Mercy Thompson Series for myself.  (Yes, I'm a little concerned about how the in-laws are going to feel about those darn covers.)

In some ways I wish my children could have the experience I did travelling together in a full-size van, laying across the seats or hanging out in a nest of pillows created on the bed in the back listening as I read like my older sister did, with accents and saying "chap--i-ter." . . .

But then I'd have to spend 6 days confined in a minivan. (Yikes!)

If you look up tomorrow and see a plane flying east, give it a wave. It might be me.

 I'll be loading up my Kindle for the trip home and I could always use a recommendation. What books do you take when you travel?