The first time I encountered audiobooks as a kid was in my parents’ minivan, squashed in the back seats amongst my three brothers, as my parents played us books on tape during long car rides. It transformed my travels. The audiobook narrators spoke worlds into existence for me. Through the grainy glass of my window, the scenery flashing before my eyes bloomed into the vivid landscapes of these stories.
What made listening to these audiobooks even more special was the shared reading experience it offered my family. In the past, I’d stuff as many library books as I could fit under the seat in front of me. Then, I’d sink into my chair and fight off car sickness as I got lost in my own stories. Audiobooks, on the other hand, allowed my family and me to enter into these story worlds together.
Now that I’m a mom, I’ve rediscovered the joy of shared audiobooks with my son. Almost every day as I drive him to school, we listen to an audiobook fantasy series for kids together. Sure, some days we’ll mix things up with some Legend of Zelda soundtrack music or an Arthur podcast episode. For the most part,...
English (US)