Latest news with #HarperCollinsUK
Sydney Morning Herald
01-07-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Goodnight to the bedtime story: The reason fewer parents are reading aloud to their children
Nicola Trotman grew up as an avid bookworm, often reading under the duvet by torchlight. So when her daughter Sadie, who will turn two in August, was born, she made a point of instilling a similar love of books. 'After bath time, we read stories to her. It's a habit we really enjoy and that she really enjoys, so much so that everyone says she's going to be a bit of a bookworm like me,' says the 34-year-old PR director from Melbourne. 'It's really helped a lot with her language development. You can have almost conversations with her … she knows all her animals, she's learning colours at the moment. She knows her ABCs already.' Bedtime reading at an all-time low New research from HarperCollins UK, however, has found the number of parents reading aloud to children is at an all-time low. Fewer than half of parents of children under 13 said reading aloud to children was 'fun for me', while fewer than half of 0- to 4-year-olds are read to frequently. New Australian data from ABC Reading Eggs also found 30 per cent of NSW parents and 22 per cent of Victorian parents admit they're too busy to fit reading into their daily routine with their child, while more than half of parents say the greatest challenge when helping their child learn to read is the child getting distracted. Robyn Cox, professor of literacy and education at The University of Tasmania, thinks this decline comes down to several factors, including greater financial pressures faced by young parents today and the increasing prevalence of screens.
The Age
01-07-2025
- General
- The Age
Goodnight to the bedtime story: The reason fewer parents are reading aloud to their children
Nicola Trotman grew up as an avid bookworm, often reading under the duvet by torchlight. So when her daughter Sadie, who will turn two in August, was born, she made a point of instilling a similar love of books. 'After bath time, we read stories to her. It's a habit we really enjoy and that she really enjoys, so much so that everyone says she's going to be a bit of a bookworm like me,' says the 34-year-old PR director from Melbourne. 'It's really helped a lot with her language development. You can have almost conversations with her … she knows all her animals, she's learning colours at the moment. She knows her ABCs already.' Bedtime reading at an all-time low New research from HarperCollins UK, however, has found the number of parents reading aloud to children is at an all-time low. Fewer than half of parents of children under 13 said reading aloud to children was 'fun for me', while fewer than half of 0- to 4-year-olds are read to frequently. New Australian data from ABC Reading Eggs also found 30 per cent of NSW parents and 22 per cent of Victorian parents admit they're too busy to fit reading into their daily routine with their child, while more than half of parents say the greatest challenge when helping their child learn to read is the child getting distracted. Robyn Cox, professor of literacy and education at The University of Tasmania, thinks this decline comes down to several factors, including greater financial pressures faced by young parents today and the increasing prevalence of screens.
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
I'm a romance author - these are the 10 best romance novels to read this summer
Author Katie Ginger, who writes contemporary romance as Annabel French, has shared her top reading recommendations for this summer There's nothing quite like delving into a good book, and with the sunny days and balmy evenings of summer, it's the perfect time to enjoy some outdoor reading. While everyone has their favourite genres, romance novels are arguably the best books to read during the summer. They're fun, easy to follow and often set in sun-drenched locations. If you're on the hunt for your next favourite romance novel, author Katie Ginger, who pens contemporary romance as Annabel French for Avon, HarperCollinsUK, has shared her top reading picks for this summer. Her latest novel, The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop, is a slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine love story that's ideal for anyone seeking some summer escapism. Here are Katie's top 10 romance recommendations. For more book suggestions, reviews, and news, click here to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack. 1. Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood "There's a reason Ali Hazelwood is one of the biggest names in romance right now and her latest read described as 'what is wrong meets what feels right' definitely won't disappoint. "With an older man/younger woman dynamic and a destination wedding in Sicily, this forced-proximity romance is going to sizzle like the Sicilian sun!" You can buy Problematic Summer Romance here. 2. Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter "Lynn is an absolute auto-buy author for me. Her books are always full of witty banter, red-hot chemistry and gorgeous heroes. So this one about a professional cleaner and featuring some of my favourite tropes (forced proximity and fake dating! ) sounds perfect to curl up with on a sun lounger." Get your copy of Maid for Each Other here. 3. Back in the Saddle by Maggie Eckersley For those in the mood for a cowboy romance, Back in the Saddle by Maggie Eckersley is the one for you. "Cowboy romance anyone? please! Perfect for fans of Lyla Sage, get your spicy, grumpy-sunshine fix here. She's done with love; his ranch is on the the yearning commence." You can buy Back in the Saddle here. 4. The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold by Ally Carter "You've got to wait until August for this one, but when it's described as an action-packed, second-chance rom-com about two rival spies who join forces in order to stay alive, you just know it's going to be worth the wait." Buy The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold here. 5. Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn "My life literally changed the day I read my first Meghan Quinn novel, and I can't wait for her next release to hit the shelves (and my Kindle)." "Featuring a woman who pretends she has a husband and an unhappy marriage and then ends up in therapy with the fake husband she's roped in to help her, this will definitely have you laughing out loud. Maybe not one to read on public transport in case you end up snorting your coffee through your nose!" Till Summer Do Us Part is available for purchase here. 6. When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa "Friends-to-lovers is another of my all-time favourite tropes (yeah, I know, I have loads!) and this gorgeous romance about two friends who promised never to date someone the other disapproved of sounds absolutely perfect. Playful and sexy but with masses of heart this might just be your next favourite read." When Javi Dumped Mari can be purchased here. 7. It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan "Another gorgeous romance full of warmth from this absolutely brilliant author. This one's about a creative executive who tells a whopper of a lie and has to call in a favour from the last man she'd ever want to to fix things." It's a Love Story is available for purchase here. 8. Not Part of the Plan by Lucy Score "Who doesn't love a reformed playboy? Somehow it's always more rewarding when they mend their ways and realise what love actually is, and Lucy's latest offering of a bad-boy photographer and feisty small-town heroine will definitely have all the spice and all the feels too." Not Part of the Plan can be purchased here. 9. My Big Fat Vampire Wedding by Jessica Gadziala "If you love something with a touch of the supernatural, then this one described as an Addams Family vibe romcom could be for you. "Pandora's a vampire who needs to marry by her birthday in three months' time or she won't inherit the ancient family fortune, and regular human Victor's her husband of choice. But as her crush on him grows, and their big fat vampire wedding looms, will their promise of 'till death do us part' be fake after all?" You can buy My Big Fat Vampire Wedding here. 10. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry "No summer reading list would be complete without an Emily Henry book, so I've had to include her latest offering. Another perfectly written love story about two writers vying to tell the tale of a reclusive heiress, but with more plot twists and secrets than an episode of Succession!" You can buy Great Big Beautiful Life here. Katie Ginger writes contemporary romance as Annabel French for Avon, HarperCollinsUK. Her next book, The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop, a slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine love story, will be published in June 2025. Follow her on Instagram for everything romance reading and writing.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
No time for tales: Gen Z parents find reading 'boring,' worsening US literacy crisis
Reading, once a favourite pastime for children, a cornerstone of growing up, is now meeting its end in the United States, a nation that champions academic excellence. The era when children ostentatiously boasted about the books read has faded into memory. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While screens take over the bookshelf, the conventional practise waits for its obituary in dismal. For Generation Z parents, the bedtime story is no longer a shared ritual, but a chore often dismissed as 'boring,' inconvenient, or simply unnecessary. And this quiet abandonment is a prelude to a literacy crisis that already prevails in the Silicon Valley, whose roots not only lie in classrooms, but living rooms. If the seeds of literacy are no longer sown at home, can the education system alone shoulder the weight of an eroding reading culture? A generation raised by screens, now raising with them Unlike previous generations, Generation Z is a generation who have grown up in a world dominated by devices. Now, as young parents, they are dealing with the challenges of raising children under the constant glow of screens. Bedtime stories have become obsolete. There was a time when reading captivated the maximum time of children, currently substituted by the hum of devices. Children can sit entranced for hours by YouTube or 'Bluey,' but flinch at the stillness of a printed page. A recent HarperCollins UK survey unearthed that fewer than half of Gen Z parents described reading to their children as 'fun,' while nearly one in three saw it as merely academic, a task rather than a pleasure. It is in a glaring contrast to what was observed in Gen X parents, who were more likely to label reading as a significant activity, pivotal for their children's growth. The impact does not speak in whispers, but screams in the next generation. The report highlights that only one-third of children aged five to ten now read for fun, compared to over half in 2012. That decline aligns with another worrying statistic: just 41% of parents today report regularly reading to their children before age five, a sharp fall from 64% little more than a decade ago. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As the habit meets its last line, it simultaneously weakens the foundation of literacy itself. The situation reeks of a glaring paradox. According to experts, screen time is rapidly replacing crucial parent-child relationships. Worse, it is impairing early cognitive, emotional, and linguistic expertise. Pediatricians recommend no more than an hour of non-educational screen time per weekday for toddlers. In reality, screens fill the silence where once stories lived. The home is the first classroom The ramifications are stark. Children not read to at home arrive at school already disadvantaged. Their vocabulary is smaller. Their attention span is shorter. Their engagement with language is often shallow. Only 41% of parents today regularly read to their children under five, down from 64% in 2012. The ripple effects are evident: fewer children now read for fun, and a growing number struggle with reading even in high school and beyond. The repercussions are stark. Children not read to at home arrive at school are already disadvantaged. Their lexicon is restricted. The attention span is shorter. Their engagement with language is often shallow and superficial. The HarperCollins UK survey revealed that only 41% of parents today regularly read to their children under five, down from 64% in 2012. How the decline in parental reading deepens America's literacy crisis The nation synonymous with growth is grappling with a literacy crisis. A scenario that echoes a brimming paradox. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) revealed that 21% of adults in the U.S. are functionally illiterate, with over half reading below a sixth-grade level. From 2017 to 2023, adult low-literacy rates surged by 9%, underscoring systemic cracks. The economic toll is staggering, estimated at $2.2 trillion annually. Here's how not reading to children can further fan the flames of the crisis: Overreliance on passive content consumption: With storytime replaced by passive screen exposure, children are deprived of interactive language development. Unlike reading, which invites questioning and imagination, screen content is typically one-directional, limiting cognitive engagement. Devaluation of storytelling traditions: The decline in reading aloud erodes oral storytelling culture within families, weakening a child's connection to language, cultural narratives, and the art of expression. Delayed print literacy fluency: Without routine exposure to books and printed text, children may struggle to recognize sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar patterns—skills essential for fluent reading and writing later in life. Growing emotional disengagement from literature: Reading aloud often fosters emotional bonding through shared narratives. When this is absent, children may grow up viewing books as emotionally sterile or disconnected from real life. Reduced attention span training: Regular reading helps stretch a child's attention span and develop patience. In its absence, children are more likely to seek instant gratification, which can hinder long-form reading and comprehension later. Weakened parent-child communication pathways: Storytime often opens up moments for discussion and empathy. Without it, parent-child interactions may become more transactional, limiting opportunities for language-rich dialogue. Failure to instill narrative logic: Stories help children understand cause and effect, sequencing, and character development. These are not just literary tools but critical thinking frameworks that aid academic learning across subjects. A future written in silence The long-term repercussions can be startling. The land of opportunity has not yet recovered from the pandemic-era learning less, and then comes the apathy of Generation Z parents. College students now enter the doors without being able or unwilling to read full books. Teachers, alarmed, are turning to social media to urge parents to return to basics. This is not restricted to bedtime stories. It is about who gets to thrive in the decades to come. Literacy is not a school subject; it is the very foundation through which young people decode the world, address problems, and engage with others. When children are not read to, they do not learn to read, and their potential for empathy, critical thinking, and imagination slowly withers. While it is agreeable that Gen Z parents are stretched thin between economic demands and other overwhelming pressures. However, not neglecting storytime means overlooking someone far greater: The chance to mould a generation that listens, questions, dreams, and understands. Because in a world full of noise, the quiet act of reading may be the most radical, and most necessary, thing a parent can do.
NDTV
03-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
Study Shows Gen Z Parents Don't Want To Read To Their Children
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. A study reveals Gen Z parents find reading aloud less enjoyable than previous generations, leading to a decline in children reading for pleasure. In 2024, only 32% of kids read for fun, while screen time increasingly replaces quality parent-child interactions. Gen Z parents, born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, don't enjoy reading aloud to their children as much as their millennial and Gen X counterparts, a new study has revealed. The generations prior to Gen Z viewed reading as a fun and meaningful bonding activity and not just an educational task. A HarperCollins UK report reveals a sharp decline in children reading for pleasure, with fewer of them opting to choose books in their free time. The report shows that in 2012, more than 55 per cent of children aged 5 to 10 often chose to read for fun, but by 2024, that number dropped to just 32 per cent. The study also shows that many parents don't find reading aloud enjoyable. Only 40 per cent of parents say reading to their children is fun. In 2012, about 64 per cent of parents regularly read aloud to children aged 0 to 4, as compared to 2024, when only 41 per cent do it. Only 36 per cent of children aged 5 to 7 are read to regularly, while just 22 per cent of 8 to 10-year-olds are read to at home, according to the study. Only 29 per cent of boys aged 0-2 are read to daily as compared to 44 per cent of girls in the same age group, it said. The percentage of parents who say their children have too much schoolwork to read books has also sharply increased since 2012. In 2024, 49 per cent of parents of children aged 5 to 13 reported this, up from 25 per cent in 2012. About 28 per cent of Gen Z parents think reading is a more effective way to learn, as compared to 21 per cent of Gen X parents. The report reveals that Gen Z parents, who grew up with phones and digital media, are more likely to turn to screens for entertainment instead of books. Reading is "more a subject to learn than a fun thing to do," according to nearly one in three youngsters aged 5 to 13 in 2024, up significantly from one in four (25 per cent) in 2012. Spencer Russell, a former elementary school teacher and Founder of Toddlers CAN Read, asked parents last week, "Why aren't you reading aloud to your kids?" One parent said, "It's so boring," while another said, "I don't have time." According to The Guardian, some parents reported that it was difficult for them to get their children to sit still for long periods. One parent said, "He's always interrupting," while another said, "My son just wants to skip all the pages." Mr Russell said, "We see children who can sit still and focus for hours on YouTube or Miss Rachel, but when you sit them down with a book, they move, wiggle, or scream and run away. Screen time is replacing one-on-one, quality interactions between parent and child."
