BY SUKEY HOWARD

Classic children's books performed by classy celebrities are an unbeatable combo, and with summertime vacations just around the corner, it's time to stock up. Remember that with an audio in the car, no trip is too far.

• Gwyneth Paltrow makes her audio debut reading Brown Bear & Friends (Macmillan Audio, $14.95, 1 hour, ISBN 9781427203243), a collection of four of Bill Martin Jr.'s beloved Bear books, including the latest, Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?

• Award-winning stars star in the recently revived Rabbit Ears series. Volume 2 of their Treasury of Storybook Classics (Listening Library, $11.95, 1 hour, ISBN 9780739363416) includes Meg Ryan reading "Red Riding Hood" and "Goldilocks" and Holly Hunter reading "The Three Little Pigs" and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Great fun for the kids and sweet nostalgia for the grownups listening with them.

• The fabulous adventures of Chester Cricket, Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse are charmingly detailed by George Selden in his Newbery Honor book, The Cricket in Times Square (Macmillan Audio, $14.95, 2.5 hours, ISBN 9781427204455). Narrated here by Tony Shalhoub, it's guaranteed to please the whole family.

• This is the 100th anniversary of the publication of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables (Listening Library, $19.95, 5 hours, ISBN 9780739367209) and Kate Burton's wonderful reading is a special treat for the slightly older set. As is Cherry Jones' performance of Little House on the Prairie (Harper Audio, $14.95, 5.5 hours, ISBN 9780061563058), Laura Ingalls Wilder's perennial favorite.

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret (Scholastic, $29.95, 3 hours, ISBN 9780545003636), Brian Selznick's complex mystery touched with magic, is a modern classic, winner of the 2008 Caldecott Medal, and presented in this audio version with sound effects galore. The accompanying DVD, an extra hosted by the author, highlights the stunning black-and-white illustrations from the book. A great package!