Number of parents reading to their children doubles

The magic of Harry Potter and the fantasy world of The Lord of the Rings have encouraged the number of parents reading to their children to more than double in the past two years, research indicates.

The rise in popularity of stories that appeal to adults and children alike, known as "kid-ult" books, has bridged the generation gap and resulted in a record 90 per cent of parents making time to read to their children, an ICM poll for Powergen found.

A similar survey in 2000 showed that only 40 per cent of children were being read a bedtime story.

The poll of 1,000 parents found that in the past year half of those surveyed had themselves read a "kid-ult" book, such as a Harry Potter or J R R Tolkein, or Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass.

The study suggested that books such as Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, Lewis Carroll's Alice books and Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer could be used by parents to read with their children. The research also showed that mothers – at 94 per cent – were more likely than fathers – 86 per cent – to read to their children regularly.

For Erica Glover, 40, the Harry Potter books were the first stories that got both her and her husband, Robin, excited about reading their nine-year-old daughter, Lucy, a bedtime story.

The family became so engrossed in Harry's adventures that all three eventually made a pact only to read the book a chapter a night as Lucy's bedtime story, to stop anyone monopolising the book.

Mrs Glover, who helps her husband to run a frozen food company from their home in Tebworth, Bedfordshire, plans to move on to Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy next, after recommendations from friends.

She said: "It was the first time that my husband and I were actually squabbling about who would read the bedtime story that evening. If my husband was going away on business, he'd get us to promise not to read the next chapter until he got back. Or if we did, when he got back he'd try and persuade us not to read on until he'd caught up."

But after reading the first three Harry Potter books as a family, Lucy is determined to read the fourth on her own. Her mother said: "My husband and I are dying to read it but Lucy says we've got to wait until she's finished this time."

Dr Aric Sigman, a psychologist and author who analysed the results of the poll for Powergen, believes that the discussion of issues raised in stories is vital for the emotional and creative development of children. The revival of children's classics is also enabling parents to become more involved in their children's reading. "Books such as The Lord of the Rings can be interpreted on more than one level, making them interesting and stimulating for all ages," he said. "For the first time parents and children are actively choosing to read the same books.

"With the current revival of children's classics like The Lord of the Rings in the cinema, parents are rediscovering books they read when they were younger or are feeling inspired to read them for the first time. These 'kid-ult' books are perfect for parents to bond with their children. Just as both parents and children can enjoy the escapism and fantasy, these stories also raise important issues that they can talk about together. This sharing of ideas and opinions is critical to the emotional and creative development of children."

Dr Sigman said: "It is important that parents continue to set aside the time to read with their children and encourage them to let their imaginations grow."

John Evans, Powergen's marketing director, added: "We understand how important it is to make storytelling a key part of your child's life. It is so encouraging to see such a huge rise in the number of parents reading to their children."

Recommended reading: Top of the poll

Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer
The Discworld series, by Terry Pratchett
The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman
Northern Lights, by Philip Pullman
The Subtle Knife, by Philip Pullman
The Harry Potter series, by J K Rowling
The Hobbit, by J R R Tolkein
The Lord of the Rings, by J R R Tolkein
Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
Alice Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll