Book Ends Essay, Research Paper
Book endsHave Toddler Will TravelThis may be a natural progression from Sarah Tucker’s
previous book, Have Baby Will Travel, but it is at least
10 times better, probably because the author spent a
year travelling round Britain interviewing families about
their experiences rather than writing up her own.The result is a thoroughly researched book, bulging
with information and tips, covering every section of the
holiday market from camping to cruising, with chapters
on popular child-friendly destinations. If the information
is not in this book’s 450 pages, you’ll be told where to
go to get it. The tips cover everything, from advice on
alternatives to vaccination and what toddlers say they
want from their holidays to the Civil Aviation Authority’s
requirements on child travel seats. The travel market
has scrambled to produce baby facilities and activities
for over-fives and neglected toddlers. However, with this
book, you’ll be well equipped to enjoy your holiday.(Hodder & Stoughton)Take the Kids: LondonThe problem with Joseph Fullman’s guide is that it
seems to have been written for foreigners, its early
chapters listing everything from arriving by plane to
addresses of embassies and consulates, with a bit
about the climate and even day trips to Brighton thrown
in. Perhaps that’s why its organisation by region rather
than activity makes it a strange read for us Brits – and
particularly for Londoners – with its presupposition that
visitors will blitz each pocket of London by area. That
said, this guide does have some interesting
information, such as the fact that kids can camp out at
night in the Science Museum, but its pages are
curiously smattered with questions and information
obviously meant for children – does an adult wanting to
take the family to the London Planetarium need a
question thrown in to ask the kids: ‘Can you name the
nine planets that orbit our sun, starting with the
nearest?’(Cadogan) Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World for Kids, by Kids 2002An interesting idea: a guide book written
children. Produced in the style of a colourful scrapbook
with lots of pictures and cartoons and edited by Wendy
Lefkon, it’s a ride-by-ride guide to Disney, with
comments from ‘real’ children on each attraction.Inevitably many of the comments are along the lines of
‘this ride is cool’, but there are some really useful
insider tips too: for example, go on the popular rides
during the parades when the queues are shorter, and if
you want to see the animators in action, visit on a
weekday. It will certainly help whet a child’s appetite
before the trip and the puzzles and quizzes could kill a
dull minute or two while stuck in a queue.However, its success as a guide book on the big day
itself will largely depend on whether your kids are the
sort who will look up each ride and make a considered
decision about whether it’s worth the queue, or whether
they will be tearing your arms out of the sockets
pleading to go on whichever ride happens to be
closest.You decide, but whatever you do, follow Alice’s advice:
‘Don’t eat anything right before you go on the teacups!’(Disney Editions)The Good Britain Guide 2002, Sixth EditionYou probably won’t find a more comprehensive guide to
family days out in Britain than this.For every county there’s an alphabetical listing of
interesting towns, villages and family-friendly
attractions, as you’d expect. But where this book
stands out is with its attention to detail.Alongside the obvious theme parks, zoos and
museums, the editor Alistair Aird has highlighted tiny
farm parks where children can feed the animals,
adventure playgrounds where they can let off steam,
even suggestions for good picnic areas and walks – the
kind of stuff that can make or break a day out with
kids.There are plenty of recommendations for pubs serving
food, and useful bed and breakfast listings at the end
of each chapter for people planning a longer break.Completely lacking in pictures, this hefty tome may
look a bit serious but it does what it says on the cover
and you can’t say fairer than that.(Ebury Press)
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