Random House UK Author James Patterson Supports Reading Campaign

Whether you look at Germany, Britain, the U.S. or other countries – for many kids, the highlight of the evening is being read to just before going to bed. But who actually does the reading? Only the mothers, or do fathers share books with their children too? A new poll commissioned by Booktrust reveals that U.K. dads trail far behind their partners when it comes to reading to their children – just 13 percent are the main reader with their child. This prompted Booktrust to launch a major nationwide campaign under the heading “Get Dads Reading.” It is supported by Random House UK author James Patterson and Camilla Rosemary Mountbatten-Windsor, HRH Duchess of Cornwall and second wife of the British Crown Prince Charles. The campaign will give fathers pointers on how to motivate their children to read.

The most popular excuse for why fathers don’t read with their children more often is that they come home from work too late. Booktrust feels these findings are a major concern as a father’s involvement in their child’s early reading is proven to boost academic success, leading to improved social and emotional wellbeing. The “Get Dads Reading” campaign will raise awareness of the importance of dads as reading role models for their children.
The campaign was launched last Thursday in London. James Patterson and Camilla Rosemary Mountbatten-Windsor visited a thriving dads reading group to see how dads and their children benefit from sharing books.

“The most crucial thing for dads to understand is that if kids see their dads reading they’re more likely to enjoy it themselves,” explains Viv Bird, Booktrust Chief Executive. “There is evidence that boys are slipping further behind girls in reading – and this emphasises how important it is that dads are positive role models to their sons as well as their daughters when it comes to reading.”

James Patterson – who started writing for children in 2005 in order to encourage his son to read and has developed his own website, ReadKiddoRead, to help dads find books to read with their children – adds: ‘If we can get children reading and enjoying books, we open up a whole world of possibility to them. I believe that dads have a huge role to play in encouraging their children to read. We need to give fathers the support they need in reading to their children. If I can help dads to understand their role in making books and reading more important in children’s lives, I’ll be a happy man’

Since January, Patterson has also supported Booktrust’s “Children’s Reading Fund” for disadvantaged children. The reading fund strives to facilitate access to books, e-books and CDs for British children between the ages of 4 and 11, and to share with them the importance of reading.