CHECK IT OUT:

Summer means beaches and vacations and “Are we there yet?” car trips.

With children and teens as a captive audience, this might be the perfect time for the family audiobook.

Audiobooks make great family entertainment and they’re also educational.

The Newport Beach Public Library has titles for all ages in its collection for you to borrow and enjoy.

For the little ones, there is the classic “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White.

The author himself reads the story of Wilbur the pig who discovers he is destined to be the farmer’s dinner until his friend, Charlotte, decides to help him.

Another book on CD that might be enjoyed by the very young is “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl. Narrated by Jeremy Irons, this book tells the story of young, unhappy James Henry Trotter, who accidentally drops magic crystals he receives from an old man.

Strange things start to happen inside the peach, which grows and grows and grows.

Cornelia Funke’s “Inkheart” tells the story of 12-year-old Meggie, who learns that her father, who repairs and binds books for a living, can “read” fictional characters to life.

Unfortunately, one of those characters abducts him and tries to force him into service. Containing all the elements of a good fantasy, this audiobook will capture the interest of both young and old.

“If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book.” So cautions Snicket, the exceedingly well-mannered narrator of the first witty mock-gothic novels featuring the misadventures of 14-year-old Violet, 12-year-old Klaus and infant Sunny Baudelaire. “The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events” by Lemony Snicket, is the first in a series.

This volume is narrated by Tim Curry, who gives plenty of creepy and funny color to the reading. The library owns the entire 12-volume series on audio.

Jim Dale, the narrator of the Harry Potter series, is the once again the reader in the classic Jules Verne novel “Around the World in 80 Days.”

Phileas Fogg and his faithful servant circumnavigate the globe as he tries to win a bet that he can travel around the world in less than three months.

Combining exploration, adventure and a thrilling race against time, “Around the World in 80 Days” gripped audiences upon its original publication and remains hugely popular to this day.

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” is presented by Sissy Spacek in a new reading.

Scout Finch, daughter of the town lawyer, likes to spend her summers building treehouses, swimming and catching lightning bugs with her brother, Jem.

But one summer, when a black man is accused of raping a white woman, Scout’s carefree days come to an end. In the county courtroom, she will join her father in a battle against ignorance and prejudice.

“Marley and Me” by John Grogan, tells the story of Marley, the yellow lab who ruled the Grogan household. A reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, John relates the story of his life with one of the world’s worst dogs. Soon to be a motion picture with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, this charming, best-selling story is a laugh-out-loud mix of comedy and pathos, perfect for a car ride.

The Newport Beach Public Library offers audiobooks for all ages. Don’t leave home without one!

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. This week’s column is by Andrea Jason. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.