Life as a parent can be busy, and with so much to fit in during the day – from work to exercise, to cooking and cleaning – life can be full-on, which means that reading with your child can often fall by the wayside.
Research by the National Literacy Trust suggests that fewer than half (46%) of parents now read daily with their child aged 0-5, despite 65% wanting to spend more time doing so. This comes as research by the Trust also shows that children’s reading enjoyment has fallen by 36% over the last two decades, with just one in three children and young people now saying they enjoy reading in their free time.
As part of the National Year of Reading 2026 we spoke to How To Train Your Dragon author and illustrator Cressida Cowell about how you can help your child start reading for pleasure.
Cressida: My name is Cressida Cowell and I am the author and the illustrator of the How to Train Your Dragon books. And I am here to give you my top tips for getting your kid reading. I would say ten minutes a day reading with your kid or making also - time for time for your kid to read. Getting into stories at bedtime. That's a really good, um, uh, model for your kid, reading on the on the tube, reading before you go to bed, reading all the time. I like reading in the bath, but, you know, that's just me.Number two tip audiobooks. Fantastic way in for a kid who's struggling. Yeah. A really good tip. Take your kid to bookshops and libraries, you know. Um, surround them, you know, let them let them choose. Go to a library. A library as a is a sweet shop where all the sweets are free. Yeah, but it happens to be books. Yeah. Do the summer reading challenge.That's more than three tips. Reading for pleasure has been sadly declining for ages and ages and we're at an all time low. So only 1 in 3 children are reading for pleasure. A love of reading is so important because of what books can give you. A book is all about words, and the more words a kid has, the smarter their thoughts can be. Phones and telly are very visual and very bossy - they tell you what to think. In a book a kid has to imagine. You know. They imagine so. Books are very good at making your children more creative. It really doesn't matter what you read or what your children read. You know, read what gives you joy. When I was a kid, I was really into Batman, I was into 2000 AD. Chuck- Charles Schulz, The Peanuts. You know, this is this is also reading. it doesn't matter what your kid or you are into. There's a way in for every kid and every adult, and you can sort of forget how great books are and how wonderful they are. Get out of the habit. But if your kid sees you reading, that's the almost the most important thing. In the National Year of Reading, think of what you can do. You could set up a book club, maybe recommend books, put them on your social media or books that you enjoy. And there's so much that all of us can do to get back in, in the habit. And we've got to get these children, oh my goodness, we've got to get these children reading even more important than ever to get children reading, because we need children to be, if anything, more creative and more empathetic than ever. And this is what books give you intelligence, creativity, and empathy.
Cressida Cowell's top tips for encouraging your children to read
Here are Cressida's tips that you can use to help your child enjoy reading more.
How long should I spend reading with my child each day?
Spending even a short time reading with your child can be beneficial. Cressida says that reading before bed works well; however, when her children were younger, she preferred reading with them over breakfast, as they'd be very tired by the end of the day. The British Dyslexia Association recommends reading with your child for a short time each day, and also talking about what you've read.
How can I set a good example when reading?
If your child sees you reading, they will be more likely to read themselves. As Cressida says: "Read on the tube, read before you go to bed, read all the time!" Research by BookTrust shows that children are 40% more likely to enjoy reading if their parents or carers do. An adult's enthusiasm can help inspire a child’s motivation to read, helping to create a positive association with books and listening.
Is listening to audiobooks as good as reading?
Cressida told us that audiobooks are: "A fantastic way in for children who are struggling." She suggests listening to them on long car journeys. Creating an emotional connection is a big part of Cressida's writing: "David Tennant reads my audiobooks, and I deliberately set out to make parents laugh or cry, because if they are enjoying the audiobook it sends the message to their kid that books are important." The British Dyslexia Association also say that audiobooks are a good resource for children who struggle with reading.
Will my phone distract me from reading with my child?
If your child is reading to you, put your phone away and give them your full attention. As Cressida says: "Be a sort of hero to your kid. Put the phone down and remember how wonderful reading is." Staying present with your child in everyday moments can help them feel connected, loved and cared for.
Are library books free?
Cressida told us that libraries are like sweet shops – but all the sweets are free! If you and your child aren't already a member of your local library, Cressida recommends taking your child and participating in the Summer Reading Challenge.
How do I become a reading volunteer?
With reading for pleasure in decline, research from the National Literacy Trust highlights the positive impact literacy volunteering programmes can have on children and families, something that Cressida is championing. In response, Amazon is expanding its Amazon Literacy Champions network to support the ambitions of the National Year of Reading goal of recruiting 100,000 new reading volunteers by the end of 2026, helping inspire a new generation of readers across the UK.
Cressida told us: "We've got to get these children reading." So what are you waiting for? Put down your phone, pick up a book with your child, and get ready to be transported into a world of imagination!
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