Books just in time for vacation

The weather says it is definitely summertime — often travel or vacation time.

Lots of families will take road trips; many will visit some of the wonderful national parks across the country. And a great time it is, too; after all, July is Park and Recreation Month (opens in a new window).

In addition to summer pleasure reading (opens in a new window), two recent books are must-haves on these excursions.

National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A.: The Most Amazing Sights, Scenes, and Cool Activities from Coast to Coast! (opens in a new window) captures the best of what Geographic is known for: crisp, well placed photographs, and clear, well defined maps with child-centric things noted. It’s all well organized and clearly presented — just right for planning a trip or even armchair travel.

Crispin Boyer’s National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas: Maps, Games, Activities, and More for Hours of Backseat Fun (opens in a new window) uses a similar approach but with trivia (there’s a law in Louisiana that says “alligators must stay at least 200 yards away from the Mardi Gras route.”) and suggested activities sure to break backseat boredom (to take pictures of all of the upside down books one sees in Nebraska, kids have to look for them, right?). Of course the sites suggested are appealing to children and families.

Though they may be lost on children, adults will appreciate the terrific text features (index, map keys, etc.), making these vacation take-alongs an easy way to inform and entertain.

Add a camera and a journal and vacation memories can be revisited long after summer is over.