How The NYPL Saved My Family

1915580_175938577350_6165444_nI can pretty safely say that the New York Public Library is the reason we bring both sons home from vacation.

Old school, I know, but when possible, we’ll drive to our vacation destinations rather than fly. With two children within slapping distance of each other for hours on end—neither with electronics—it can get uglier than two tomcats sharing a fence. (Usually they’re pretty good at the conversation thing, but 1,000 miles is a long time to chat.)

Enter the library.

Before a trip to Disney World a couple of years back, when the boys were in third grade and kindergarten, I borrowed audio books from the library. Several times when I was driving, the back seat was so quiet I thought the kids had drifted off. Instead, they were rapt. The biggest success was Rick Riordan’s Lost Hero.

Not only did audio books keep them engaged through four big Red states, the CD bundles elicited discussions on plots, characters and Greek mythology. At one rest stop, Andy motioned toward one girl and asked if I though she looked like Piper—one of the book’s three main characters he’d been envisioning. Without the library and audio books, there’s a good chance the loudest child would’ve been dropped off somewhere near the Cherokee reservation to have been reared by new-found relatives.

The trick is getting books the whole car will enjoy and can discuss. A recent unscientific survey of four suggests that 100 miles of Diary of a Wimpy Kid goes a lot farther for the front seat than it does for the back, especially if it’s a perennial bedtime read.

But even books with limited appeal can do their trick, assuming they appeal to the driver rather than the driven.

For the drive to fetch Andy from the grandparents in North Carolina one summer, I’d picked up Warhorse, a few volumes of The Magic Tree House and some other audio books. Usually game for any story, CJ quickly tired of the boy and his horse and began to lobby for two kids and their twirling tree house. When that didn’t work and with no one to aggravate, he fell asleep.

One last tip–make sure you keep track of all that you borrow. In addition to papered sports anthologies, Flat Stanley, and a Greek myth or two we’ve managed to sprinkle up and down the Eastern Seaboard, there are a couple of audiobooks floating out there. Still, despite the reimbursement to the library, we’re better off financially (and otherwise) than had we bought—or never read—the books we’ve borrowed.

Hillary Chura is a reporter and New York Family’s Le$$er Parenting blogger. Follow her on Twitter @hillarychura for money-saving tips on NYC parenting.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

British Swim School

<p>The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.  British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School’s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!</p>

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Looking for something to do with the kids in New York City that is fun, exciting, and educational? The Intrepid Museum offers family-friendly activities and programs all year long that keep children engaged, entertained, and curious about history and science. Fun rain or shine, the Museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and activities. With so many things to do and see, you’ll never hear “I’m bored,” when you climb aboard Intrepid. A non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.<br /></span></p>

Steps on Broadway Youth Programs

<p class="m_6201101365486487057m_1751229968981391907gmail-m-6447730382188674378msonospacing" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For 40 years, the Youth Programs at the internationally celebrated Steps on Broadway have nurtured young dancers, ages 18 months to 18 years.  Whether seeking a fun dance experience or comprehensive pre-professional training, there is a program suited for everyone.  Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, theater dance, hip hop, contemporary, modern, pointe and more.  Taught by a faculty of internationally-recognized concert, ballet, Broadway and celebrated guest artists, every student is encouraged to discover their artistic uniqueness, deepen their passion for the art form, while growing as dancers and individuals. </span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Classes are offered throughout the academic year and summer.</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">First Steps (ages 18 mos – 5 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Kids & Teens (ages 6-18 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Pre-Professional Program (ages 7-18 yrs, by audition only)</span></p>