Wow, audio books are really expensive

[spinbaby]

I'm facing a long drive with a child this weekend and looked into getting Harry Potter on CD. $32.

Download from ITunes? Still $32. How the *&^%$#! does an audio book cost $32 to download?

Unfortunately, my public library doesn't have it, although they think they can eventually get it.

[Deja Q]

1. Well, Just Kidding Rowley has to put food on her family too.

:(

Apparently her stuff is something everyone wants. Bogus "supply and demand" theory being present, that justifies the cost -- even though, unlike oil, it's infinitely easier to make more copies of her reading her book onto a CD.

[Book Lover]

2. Were you thinking it would be cheaper than the print book?

Audio books have additional expenses - studio time, editing, voice talent, packaging - over and above the costs for the print book.

[spinbaby]

7. Audio download

No packaging, shipping, etc, but still the same price as the CD.

[Puglover]

3. Here's what I use.

www.audible.com


20.00 a month allows 2 audible books for download. Then you can use on Ipod or any other device OR burn to CD. You can cancel at any time.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. Did you check Craigslist?

sometimes good CDs show up there, and it's local (fast).

[kath]

5. Even though your library doesn't have the current HP, they no doubt have lots of other good stuff on

CD.
They may have the earlier HP books. It's a lot of fun to read or listen to them a second or third time.


How old is your child? I may be able to give some recommendations -- I'm a children's book junkie, and there are also some very good storytellers out there whose tapes we listened to a lot when our kids were younger.

There is a tape set of EB White himself reading Charlotte's Web, and it's awesome. Great for people of ALL ages!

[spinbaby]

6. We're falling back on the DVD player

Harry Potter movies. They're cheaper. I'd love to do other children's literature but we're in the midst of a sudden Harry Potter obsession and he's not quite up to reading the books by himself.

[kath]

10. ahh, but listening is so much better for the imagination and the mind (not to sound like a PITA, but

it's true). Don't they have *any* of the HP books on tape?

For future reference/upcoming long trips:

Has he read/listened to any of the Henry Huggins books by Beverly Cleary? Betcha your library has 'em. Even my husband got hooked on those (I read them as a kid, but he somehow missed out on them). We still read them to each other sometimes. Or the original Winnie the Pooh books by A.A. Milne -- hubby used to read them to me when I was in med school and residency -- even if I was VERY wound up, I could never make it to the end of the chapter before I fell asleep. :-)
Or the Indian in the Cupboard books, or "I, Houdini" by the same author (had a wonderful Thanksgiving drive to Illinois listening to that one). Lots of kids like Hank the Cowdog. Dick King-Smith's books -- "Babe the Gallant Pig" and many, many others (we read the books, but I'd bet there are CDs available). The Beverly Cleary books about Ramona (boys and girls both love these), and her Mouse and the Motorcycle books. Just checked, and the Pippi Longstocking books are available on CD.

Storytellers:
Jim Weiss (teh AWESOME!!), Jay O'Callahan, Odds Bodkin, Jackie Torrance, Lynn Moroney.

The Rabbit Ears tapes of classic folk and fairy tales, performed by famous actors/actresses. They used to be on the radio, and they're fantastic.



I really do need to be a childrens' librarian in my next life! :-) (and I can't wait to have grandkids, so I can share all of these, and so many, many more, with them.)

Oh, and one more mention of E.B. White reading Charlotte's Web -- fantastic!! (I'm not sure if he himself reads Stuart Little, but I'd bet that would be a fun one to listen to as well.)

[XemaSab]

11. If he's not up to reading the books by himself

you might want to "read ahead" and see if the more depressing aspects of the last couple books are age-appropriate.

NOT advocating censorship, just saying he might not "get" some of the stuff that happens.

[Javaman]

8. Well the person reading the book needs to get paid too. nt

[ghostsofgiants]

9. You can find it elsewhere...

:shiftyeyes:

[democracyindanger]

12. Used record stores

Many have audio book sections.