Reading aloud is losing its magic—but it's not too late to bring it back
New research by HarperCollins UK and Farshore reveals a worrying trend—and an opportunity for change.
Reading bedtime stories was one of the most cherished parts of our childhood for many of us. It was the sound of a parent's voice, the comfort of cuddling up close, the magic of getting lost in a world far beyond our own.
But for many children today, that moment of magic is quietly fading.
In a new study released by HarperCollins UK and Farshore in December 2024, fewer than half of parents with children aged 0–13 say reading aloud is 'fun for me.' And when it comes to the youngest readers, just 41% of 0–4-year-olds are read to frequently, down sharply from 64% in 2012.
The research, part of the 2024 Understanding the Children's Book Consumer survey conducted with NielsenIQ BookData, reveals that our cultural relationship with reading is shifting. Gen Z parents—those who grew up with screens—are more likely than previous generations to see reading as 'more a subject to learn' rather than a joyful activity. Their kids are absorbing that same message: almost one in three children aged 5–13 now see reading as something to study, not something to love.
Even more troubling? This perception is growing. In 2012, only 25% of children felt this way. In 2024, it's 29%—and among 11–13-year-olds, it jumps to 35%.
Related: Eye-opening viral video shows difference between effective and ineffective ways to handle bedtime
Perhaps most heartbreaking is how early the disparity sets in. Among toddlers aged 0–2, just 29% of boys are read to daily, compared to 44% of girls. More than 1 in 5 boys are rarely or never read to at all. And by age 13, only 12% of boys read for fun every day.
Alison David, Consumer Insight Director at Farshore and HarperCollins Children's Books, says, 'Being read to makes reading fun for children. So, it's very concerning that many children are growing up without a happy reading culture at home…Children who are read to daily are almost three times as likely to choose to read independently compared to children who are only read to weekly at home. It's never too late to start, or resume, reading with children.'
Related: The scientific benefits of dads reading bedtime stories
But there's also hope—real, inspiring hope.
In a powerful pilot study called 'Social Reading Spaces,' HarperCollins UK partnered with the School Library Association to reimagine how we help reluctant adolescent readers reconnect with books. Over 10 weeks, 17 school libraries across the UK created pressure-free book clubs that emphasized connection, conversation, and community over reading assignments.
The results were nothing short of transformational.
More than 400 students aged 12–13 took part. Afterward, 60% said they were more interested in reading, and 84% said it was a worthwhile experience. In one school, boys who joined the club saw their reading ages grow by an average of 1 year and 3 months—compared to just 5 months in their wider year group.
'You can—like—express your emotions and your feelings here,' one boy said. Another shared, 'It's just a fun way of communicating and getting to read more books and become friends at the same time.'
Yes, life is busier than ever. Yes, the pressures of modern parenting are real. But this research offers a gentle but urgent reminder: our kids need stories—not just for literacy, but for joy, connection, and emotional growth.
Even five minutes a day can change the story of a child's life.
Let's bring back the magic of reading aloud. Let's make story time a space of comfort and laughter, and imagination. And let's do it not out of guilt, but out of love.
Because the truth is: we don't have to be perfect parents. But we can be the ones who say, 'Let's read together.'
Sources:
HarperCollins UK & Farshore (2024). New research reveals that parents are losing the love of reading aloud. 'PDF via HarperCollins Press Release'
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