Have you ever noticed that the minute you start dinner kids are immediately under foot?? It’s like they have a switch that comes on the minute you turn on the oven. Grrrrrr. One of the things I found to be an instant hit was a great trick my Mom used to do. I make my own books-on-tape. When I have a little extra time I pull out a few of the kids favorite picture books. I then record myself on a tape (I’m sure there is a way to do this on a CD, but I’m not that tech savvy). I read them aloud, prompting them each time they need to turn the page. On those nights when the kids are suddenly desperate for my attention -just as I am starting dinner- I pull out our ancient tape player and put on a book on tape, read by me. I give the kids the correlating book and they are kept busy for a good 20 minutes.
Growing up we used to listen to ‘Power Tales’. Power Tales are 15 books-on-tape full of adventure and excitement – but the best thing is they are true stories of wonderful heroes that teach powerful lessons. They were the BEST!! My favorite was the Power of Patriotism, the story of Francis Scott Key and told by Quill, the quill pen. Each is wonderfully illustrated AND provides an important lesson within each story. They are such a creative way to sneak in a lesson on history, science, literature, etc.!
I know I’m missing a couple of books. The kids are still listening to them and although they are tolerating my picture taking, they drew the line at taking the books they’re listening to.
Unfortunately these amazing books-on-tape are no longer available although I frequently look for them on auction sights. So you can image my delight when I found the entire set (with the tapes), for $10, while out thrifting this weekend!!! Exploring these books was like finding an old friend. Now I have these to add to my collection of books-on-tape, the kids are loving them.
