Through my local library system, I've borrowed several audio books.  I'll admit I used to consider it cheating (not really reading!) until I heard a presentation by the owner of one of the first successful audiobook companies in the U.S. and listened to the CD he gave away promoting audio books as a supplemental strategy for struggling readers.  Now I'm an audio book promoter, encouraging families to listen to books during long drives -- and discuss the stories -- rather than popping a movie in the DVD player.  I listen to books while driving, and find the miles fly by as I'm transported through stories.  Pairing a text with its audio version gives kids an opportunity to hear new vocabulary while looking at it, gaining in both listening skills and reading skills. 

And then there are Jim Dale's recordings of the Harry Potter books.  Now, one of the side effects is that I emerge from my car speaking with a mangled British accent and saying things like, "stupid git" and singing, "'arry Potter, your a rotter," like Peeves the Poltergeist.  But the sheer genius of the writing, coupled with Jim Dale's amazing ability to create so many different voices for the wide variety of characters, puts these audio books in an entirely different realm.  Magic. 

So, before you pile into your vehicle for your summer trip, look at your local library's collection of audio books -- and if they don't have any for kids, request them from other libraries in the system, or let the librarian know you think audio books for kids would be a good addition to the collection.  Start an audio book club with other families and swap sets.  And the next time you see someone sitting in a parking lot, looking intense or laughing hysterically, you'll know what they're doing -- finishing a chapter before they get out of the car and on with their lives.