There's Always Time To Read A Story

Not all mothers with children under the age of ten are reading to their children before bed.

What a terrible loss for those children.

Only 71% of mothers take the time to tuck in the little ones with a story. Only 71% of the children are developing a love of books at an impressionable age.

The study was commissioned by Kellogg's as part of a promotion that ties in with Rice Krispies cereal and The O'Brien Press which is looking to foster reading. Children who are read to before bed are the ones who become readers as they get older, and it's readers who buy books. And cold cereal, we are to assume, given that Kellogg's is involved.

Of those who don't read at bedtime, it was a hectic schedule that was to blame. Mammy is just too busy or too tired after a long day at work. They're busy providing for the child's physical needs, and missing out on the first step towards excellence in the classroom.

Those same 71% of mothers who read bring their children to the public library to borrow books. Shelf after shelf of colorful picture books, yards of chapter books with fewer illustrations because pictures are for babies, and on to the young adult section for the big kids who don't need pictures at all.

Good thing that mothers are taking the time, because the librarians in Lucan have gone on strike and they won't be reading to the children. Forget about story-time, that much loved event. You see, Ireland's going broke and everyone's been asked to take a pay cut, and the librarians represented by Impact aren't about to accept it without expressing their grievances.

For 71% of Ireland's children, it won't make much difference. They have their mothers to weave literary magic at the end of the day. It's the rest of the children who are getting short-changed.