Let's Take the Kids to London: A Family Travel Guide [Paperback]

David White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

Finally! A book about family travel to London written by a parent who has made the trip many times. Let's Take the Kids to London proves that an enjoyable family holiday in London is not only possible, it can blend culture, history, and just plan fun for parents and children alike.

But don't take our word for it, ask Paddington Bear, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Winnie-the-Pooh, or Harry Potter. Let's Take the Kids to London brings London to life with tie-ins to British children's literature.

From the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, to London's lesser known tourist attractions, Let's Take the Kids to London offers practical advice to help visiting families get the most out of a London visit. No trip is perfect and this book injects humor as an antidote to the inevitable small tribulations experienced by the traveling family.

Let's Take the Kids to London zeros in on what parents need to knout the logistics of a London holiday and what kids want to know about all the cool things to see and do in the city.

Revised and updated edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Why will almost 3 million Americans travel to London next year?

For a growing number of American families, a "hop across the pond" will replace a drive to the beach next summer. London is only eight hours by plane from the US and many families are starting to plan their trips now. LET'S TAKE THE KIDS TO LONDON--A FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDE zeros in on what parents need to know about the logistics of a London holiday and what kids want to know about all the great things to see and do in the city.

The booming American economy, combined with the high value of the U.S. dollar, makes overseas travel an attractive reality for many families. They can afford it, now all they need is some help planning their London family adventure. Written by a parent who has made the trip many times, LET'S TAKE THE KIDS TO LONDON proves that an enjoyable family holiday in London is not only possible, it can blend culture, history, and just plan fun for parents and children alike.

In a sense, many American families have already seen London through the eyes of Paddington Bear, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Winnie-the-Pooh, or Harry Potter. LET'S TAKE THE KIDS TO LONDON brings London to life with tie-ins to favorite British children's literature. LET'S TAKE THE KIDS TO LONDON also features:

--sidebars in each chapter containing detailed, up-to-date information for families visiting London's tourist sights

--honest, child-savvy advice on the city's attractions, events, dining and lodging

--trip planning tips covering things families need to know-from finding rest rooms to surviving motion sickness and airline food

--humorous antidotes to the inevitable tribulations faced by traveling families

About the Author

David White is the budget director for a top-rated public school system in Maryland. Although well-versed in local government and politics, as author of Let’s Take The Kids To London, David White has two key qualifications: • he is the father of two • he has happily taken the kids to London many times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 301 pages
• Publisher: Writers Club Press; 2 edition (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595139531
• ISBN-13: 978-0595139538
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Everyone's an expert.

That's a common critique, so I don't pretend to be a subject matter expert on quantum physics or arcane economic theory. But if the question is travel to London, the United Kingdom, or thereabouts, then I will raise my hand and say "I know about that."

My book--Let's Take the Kids to London--is written especially for families traveling to London and the UK. And while it may not be a big name guidebook like Fodor's, Frommer's, or Rick Steves, there are some real advantages to my book. It is based on my personal experience taking a family to London many times--that, and endless research on the subject by yours truly. And one other plus: readers can contact me with questions about travel to London and I'll do my best to answer. Try that with a big name guidebook corporation, er, author.

NEW: Check out the Kindle edition of the book on Amazon's Kindle Store

For more on the book and travel to London, check my webpage at:

www.KidsToLondon.com

Follow my stories about European travel on Examiner.com:

www.EuroTravelExaminer.info

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Let's Take the Kids to London, August 10, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Let's Take the Kids to London: A Family Travel Guide (Paperback)

If you plan to take children to London this is a great book. I warn you though if you get this and lots of other books you'll think this one too simplistic and put it aside. Don't. Its very straight forward and pragmatic approach is actually helpful if you read the narrative and don't just focus on the fact sheets. (The book has lots of "fact sheets" with basic details like hours, costs, location and how much time activities take.) I definitely agree with his choices of "must dos" and "highlights". I also appreciated his themes - like don't do in London what you can do at home and that children need to vary and pace actvities in ways very different than adults. We almost always took more time for each activity than he indicated. And of course some of the information is dated (for example most of the museums are free now.) Still, he has a wonderful feel for London and for what really catches a child's fancy.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GET THIS BOOK BEFORE YOU LEAVE, June 13, 2004

By 

Ann R. Mchugh "anniemch" (CHATHAM, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Take the Kids to London: A Family Travel Guide (Paperback)

I have found this book to be awsome. I have bought 3 other books about taking the kids to London and have found this the most helpful. The author has great advice on what to pack, where to go and how to get there. This book was my bible for our trip.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good beginning, September 13, 2009

By 

N. B. Kennedy (Hopewell, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Take the Kids to London: A Family Travel Guide (Paperback)

If you're planning to take your kids to London, I would consider this book just one source of many you should use. The author gives you a great start, but he neglects some sights and suggestions that would make your trip more memorable.

For example, he dismisses the idea of finding a child-friendly pub in London. What's a trip to London without a pub meal!?! Many websites list pubs that are licensed to allow children. In the main tourist district, Ye Olde Chesire Cheese is one atmospheric choice. Many authors from the pantheon of English greats -- Johnson, Boswell, Dickens, etc. -- hung their hats here.

Two of my favorite places are missing: the water fountains at Somerset House in the theatre district. Kids love to romp in these, while you can relax with a coffee or glass of wine around the perimeter (put warm clothes and a raincoat on the kids... the water's cold). Also, don't miss the Guildhall Art Gallery. In the basement are the excavated remains of a Roman amphitheater. The kids can pretend they're gladiators -- when they step on a spot in the center, they'll hear cheering and crowd noises. One parent can be in charge, while the other takes a whirl through the gallery's lovely Victorian artworks.

Also, he leaves out any suggestion of playgrounds other than the Diana Memorial playground, which admittedly is great. But when you're schlepping little ones around a city as big as London, it helps to know where the playgrounds are -- Coram's Fields, for example, in the Russell Square area. There's a nice playground at the base of the London Eye, too.

Some logistical information is missing. For example, in the section on Legoland, he doesn't tell you that it can take 3 hours just to get to Legoland from central London. You need to start early! Also missing is any useful information on the bus system. The route numbers rarely change and two of them in particular give you a good tour of the major sights... grab seats up front on a double-decker Route 11 or 15 bus.

So, as I say, I would use this guide as just one of several you consult. For example, check out my two Traveler Lists on tripadvisor: "In Love with London" and "London with Kids" (by LiveSmallTravelBig). Properly equipped, you'll have a great time in London with your family.