Let me just start this post by saying this:
These 3 absolutely amazing books to pack for your family on your next vacation come straight from my heart.
Really. I love these books that much.
My penchant for these books comes directly from my own meaningful experiences with them over the last several years…yes, years!
I have taken them camping, rafting, traveling, on road trips, overnight field trips, and doctors visits. I have even given them out as presents.
I have read these books at the dinner table and as bedtime stories.
I have read them to children other than my own and many of their parents call me to ask how to get their hands on these books.
On a week-long field trip with my daughter’s 6th-grade class, we read these in our cabin before bed and the girls begged me to keep reading well after lights-out.
The next night, when I was pooped from the days’ activities and could not keep my eyes open to read to them, they quickly snatched the book and took turns reading to each other out loud.
On a 10-day rafting trip in Idaho, we kept friends entertained on the river and at night by the campfire reciting these stories, many of which we now know by heart. Our rafting guides loved them so much that as a gift for all their hard work, we sent them these books and feel so happy knowing that these stories will continue on through them.
These 3 absolutely amazing books to pack for your family on your next vacation inspire creative thinking, require problem-solving skills, generate the BEST conversation among family and friends, and quite simply, never get old.
In short, they really are absolutely amazing!
ABOUT THESE BOOKS
There are three books in the series:
“Stories to Solve” – “More Stories to Solve” – “Still More Stories to Solve”
In the Introduction of “Stories to Solve”, the first book in the series by George Shannon, it reads: “Stories and mysteries have existed as long as there have been people to tell them and question why. The following folktales each involve a mystery or problem to be solved by the story’s character. And then, in turn, a mystery for the listener and reader to figure out how they did it. Each story is different, but each can be solved with careful listening and reading, and visualizing the story’s events and images.” These folktales are from around the world and have been told for centuries but George Shannon had the brilliant idea of bringing them all together for us to enjoy and continue to pass along to others in this 3-book series. Each book contains about 14 mysteries from the world of folklore. The stories are no longer than 2 or 3 short pages which are perfect for keeping all ages engaged (even adults!). The black and white illustrations are simply beautiful.
IS YOUR FAMILY A GOOD FIT FOR THESE 3 ABSOLUTELY AMAZING BOOKS?
To find out, see if you or anyone in your family can answer the following:
How did a single firefly win a fight against one hundred apes?
What were the magic words the old Shaman told the boy to say?
How did the bride convince her mother-in-law that she wasn’t the one stealing chickpeas?
If you answered “I have no clue!” to any of these questions, then you need to buy these 3 absolutely amazing books!
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE THESE BOOKS ON YOUR NEXT FAMILY VACATION
They are a great alternative to screen time.
Hold off on screen time until a few of these deeply engaging stories have been read.
They help kill time while waiting at the airport, in flight or during a layover.
Time will fly, your family will be interacting with each other, and so much fun will be had.
They are a fun way to start the day, so bring them to the breakfast table!
You will find yourself thinking about these stories throughout the day, especially those you can’t solve right away.
They can be packed in your daypack to read at times when everyone is losing steam.
These books are a fantastic distraction when hard times on the road leave the whole family feeling desperate.
They can be used to converse and connect with locals or newfound friends.
There is no better way to connect with others than by sharing a good story.
Once you experience the wonders of these books on your next family vacation, you will never leave for another trip without them!
To close this post, I am going to leave you with a photo of one short story that has always been my favorite and stumped me for SO long! Can you solve it?
If not, then you must get these 3 absolutely amazing books to pack for your family on your next family vacation! ; )
