Audiobooks that Answer 'Are We There Yet?'

By Nancy Hu Conro, Contributing writer | July 16, 2019

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Keep everyone entertained on summer road trips with these perfectly timed audiobooks.

The car’s loaded, the kids are strapped in and you’re on your way - the long car ride of a summer family road trip is either a treasured family tradition, a backseat battle waiting to erupt or both. Keep everyone entertained on your trip with a few perfectly timed audiobooks that will quell those “Are we there yets” and keep everyone engaged in story.

Hot Tip: Use your library card to log into the Libby App and stream your audiobook through your car’s Bluetooth.

Keep the magic alive till you reach New Orleans

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
Running time: 5 hours 57 mins.
You may know David Tennant from Doctor Who or Good Omens, but did you know he narrates children books? The Wizards of Once by How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell, is a magical, action packed, laughter filled adventure. Readers of all ages will enjoy the story of Xar, the young Wizard boy without any magic, and Wish, a young Warrior girl with a forbidden magical object. These two must put aside their differences to defeat an evil greater than the feud between the Wizards and Warriors. You’ll enjoy David Tennant’s enchanting performance, as he masterfully gives each character their own distinct voice.

Dig deeper into the Marvel Universe til you get to South Padre Island

Black Panther: A Young Prince by Ronald L. Smith
Running time: 5 hours 45 mins.

An enemy has threatened Wakanda! To keep his son safe, the King of Wakanda has sent 12-year-old T’Challa to the safest (unlikeliest) place: Chicago, Illinois. T’Challla faces new challenges at South Side Middle School: making new friends, bullies, science projects, and an ancient evil!? To save his friends, T’Challa must put aside his doubts and embrace his path as the Young Prince of Wakanda, the future Black Panther. An action-packed adventure that is a must listen for Marvel fans!

Geek out on your way to Austin

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Running time: 3 hours 32 mins.
Why not arrive at your new destination, a little smarter? Let world renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson answer questions you wouldn’t have a clue of how to answer and blow the minds of everyone in the car.

Be the best you, when you arrive at Surfside Beach

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by Fred Rodgers, Luke Flowers
Running time: 1 hour 23 mins.
Get the whole car signing with this audiobook that features 75 songs from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Narrated by John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun and Dexter) and Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager and Orange is the New Black), this collection of poems and songs created by Mr. Rodgers himself, will bring back memories for parents while the little ones in the backseat will enjoy the rhymes.

Around the beltway with traffic

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
Running time: 58 mins.
The perfect story that will delight everyone in the car on their very own trip across town. This hilarious story about what should have been a short errand that involves time travel and milk.

Check out these audiobooks or discover others with Overdrive by Rakuten and your library card.

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell runs for 5 hours and 57 mins, a perfect pick for a trip to New Orleans.
Black Panther: A Young Prince by Ronald L. Smith runs for 5 hours and 45 mins, a great choice for traveling to South Padre Island.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson will keep everyone's minds entertained till Austin.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by Fred Rodgers and Luke Flowers, which runs for an hour and 23 minutes, will inspire the whole family on the way to Surfside Beach.
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, which runs for 58 minutes, will help pass the time on a shorter road trip or just typical Houston traffic.

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell runs for 5 hours and 57 mins, a perfect pick for a trip to New Orleans.

Black Panther: A Young Prince by Ronald L. Smith runs for 5 hours and 45 mins, a great choice for traveling to South Padre Island.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson will keep everyone's minds entertained till Austin.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by Fred Rodgers and Luke Flowers, which runs for an hour and 23 minutes, will inspire the whole family on the way to Surfside Beach.