Planet Explorers guidebooks review and giveaway

Before any family vacation, I always advise educating kids on where they’ll be going and what they’ll be seeing. In preparation for our June 2011 visit to New York City, we read books, watched movies that promenently featured the Big Apple, and studied maps. I wish had known then about the Planet Explorers guidebook series, written for school-aged kids and available in several ebook formats for easy on-the-go reading. When I had the opportunity to review a book in this series last week, I chose the New York City edition, curious to see if what worked–and didn’t!–for families in our recent experience was reflected in its pages.

What I read (and my 5th and 7th graders read) was a comprehensive guide for all things New York City. My kids liked that the text was lively and full of fun facts (they especially enjoyed reading about various movie sets and book settings in the city…further confirmation that New York really is a cultural center!) and I liked that it was clearly divided into sections by both neighborhood and attraction, making it easy to use as trip planning tool. Also useful are the dining recommendations in each section, providing choices both kid-friendly and close in proximity to area attractions. Uniquely New York fare is listed for the adventurous, as well as the tried and true, for when you just need to get something for your picky kid to eat (we all have those days, no matter how lofty our dining intentions!).

Planet Explorers New York City is availabe for iPad, Kindle, Nook, and in PDF format, and the many links throughout the book take the reader either online or to further references within the text. Full color photos grace every page, and the facts listed are quite detailed: kids will read where to stand to take the best photos at the Empire State Building, what to see in the Met, and which Central Park hot dog stands to frequent. Full addresses of featured attractions are included, so readers can easily apply them in GPS-based apps for ‘in-the-field’ use.

My only cavat: Planet Explorers are guidebooks to read together as a family, during the pre-trip excitement: unless you have a very eager traveler, school-aged kids will probably not sit down to read them cover to cover on their own. However, I’d venture to say they’re meant to be read in pieces, as research on particular attractions are needed. For that purpose, the e-format works wonderfully.

So far, the Planet Explorer series includes books on Chicago, Philadelphia, and Disney resorts and cruise line in addition to the New York ebook; it’s my hope that more are added soon! If you’re planning a trip to any of these locations, and would like to read up on it beforehand, Planet Explorers author Laura Schaefer has generously donated an ebook of your choice to one Pit Stops for Kids winner. To enter, simply comment below, telling us which city or theme park you plan to explore with your family!

Giveaway runs for one week, ending on Wednesday, November 2nd. Winner to be determined by random number generator and notified by email and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to Elizabeth, winner by random number generator.

As I disclose whenever applicable, a Planet Explorers ebook was provided for me free of charge for the purpose of review.