'Kid-ult' tales boost bedtime reading

Harry Potter appeals to different generations

Books which appeal to both children and adults - such as Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings - have contributed to an increase in parents reading to their children.

These so-called "kid-ult" books are said to have motivated more parents to give their children a bedtime story.

According to a survey, 90% of parents read to their children - which it is claimed more than doubles the figure of a survey taken two years ago.

A higher proportion of Scottish parents read to their children than elsewhere in the United Kingdom, the survey commissioned by energy company Powergen also says.

It also found that mothers were more likely than fathers to read to children.

Looking glass

The success of "kid-ult" books at bedtime has been attributed to their ability to hold the attention of both youngsters and adults.

They work on different levels and provide something for different generations.

As well as the Harry Potter books, the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, which have been boosted by film adaptations, there are other traditional "kid-ult" books.

These include titles such as Alice Through the Looking Glass, which can be enjoyed in different ways by both children and adults.

It is also claimed that parents enjoy reading books such as the Lord of the Rings because it reminds them of their own childhood.