Vacation or Staycation--we've got you covered!

This Summer, it seems people are sticking a little closer to home for their family vacations. We have just what you need to get out of town and possibly see an endangered species--the roadside attraction, weird water tower, or kooky museum. Berwyn author Jerome Pohlen has written a great series of travel guides, and we sell some of the ones closest to home: Oddball Illinois, Oddball Wisconsin, Oddball Iowa, and Oddball Indiana. I made him sign all the copies, so you not only get the book, you get the autograph at no extra charge! The books are divided into territories, so it's easy to look up the areas you'll be driving through. (the author warns us to call ahead and confirm that the attractions are still there--a good example is the Spindle here in Berwyn which is on the cover of Oddball Illinois).

While you're driving around out of town, why not let the locals know where you're from with one of the "Ich Bin Ein Berwyner" shirts--the newest batch is heather gray and comes in S-XXL.

Big fat wallets make driving a pain in the butt for the purseless among us. Come check out the ultra thin/light and super cool Mighty Wallets. They're made from Tyvek--a recyclable paper-thin material that's sturdy, waterproof, and recycled. They come in a variety of prints from tattoo images to shredded paper. Just looking for a small wallet to hold your ID and some cash? We have recycled plastic coin purses with cute images--waterproof and perfect for the pool or a small evening bag. For carrying your pool and beach gear, we have large totes made from recycled plastic as well.

We have some car-friendly toys and games for the young kids, and road trip journals for the older ones. Don't be like me and lose a small Barbie shoe in the seats of the car--it really ticks Dad off. . .

Summer Reading for Grade Schoolers

This Reading is Cool journal will help kids keep track of what they read over the summer. Besides recording what they read, they can rate the book and do fun exercises about the characters and situations in the stories.

The Roadtrip activity journal will keep kids busy (and possibly quiet) while you're on Summer vacation. It's got car games (eye spy, the license plate game and auto bingo, of course + a few more you make up as you go). There's lots of space for drawing what you see, and awards to make up for your favorite places (and a couple of nasty restroom awards, too). This journal would be good for one or more than one kids on a family vacation.

And now a word from our sponsor (click on the post title to go to their website):

Did you know that Elementary school children who don't have access to books during Summer vacation will lose up to three months of reading skills learned during the school year? Berwyn C.A.R.E.S. (Citizens Aligned to Renew Education for Students) is collecting gently used books for low income kids in grades K-5 from Districts 98 & 100. You can drop off books at Fly Right from now until the end of the school year. This is a great way to help kids in our community and to recycle your child's outgrown books. It will make your kids feel good to know that they are helping others in need, recycling, and making room for new books of their own.