Books on the Go

© Beverley Paine, 2004

As a young person I'd sit on the train and be amazed at the number of people engrossed in a book, newspaper or magazine. Bus trips were much the same. People love to snatch whatever time they can to escape into the world of fiction, to catch up on the news, or to read about their favourite past-time or hobbies. Waiting rooms at medical centres would be dreadful if it weren't for magazines, newspapers and children's books. People love to read. As Thomas said, it's addictive! We want to be informed and entertained.

Every family car should have a grab bag full of travel games, interesting but expendable magazines, children's magazines, several sturdy books and a few toys, as well as individual drinking bottles and a nutritious snack, to keep the children occupied during the drive. Each child can have their own bag, or backpack, but it's useful to have one stashed by the door for emergencies.

As any parent knows, taking books and toys anywhere, means leaving books and toys somewhere. Don't take library books or treasured books and toys to places where there is a good chance they'll be damaged or forgotten, such as a family restaurant or the beach.

Other ways to encourage reading while travelling can be found in my forthcoming booklet The Travelling Homeschooler , but here's a few to get your started:

•  Ask a child to navigate; supply them with suitable maps and materials. She can read highways signs, kilometre signs, street signs, look for landmarks and turnoffs and find your favourite service station or restaurant.
•  Make up stories with each person adding the next sentence.
•  Play different variations of I Spy, word games, or any of the many number plate or billboard games.
•  Share reading tourist information aloud.