Books losing their allure for children — especially boys

FEWER children are reading on a regular basis than were five years ago, a new study has revealed.

The National Literacy Trust report also reveals a worrying gap between boys and girls, which has widened since 2005.

The study looked at the attitudes and participation in reading and writing of boys and girls in 2009 compared with 2005.

It shows that fewer than three in ten (28.1 per cent) boys in 2009 said they read every day, compared with more than a third (34.7 per cent) in 2005.

Among girls, nearly four in ten (38.7 per cent) say they read every day, although this has fallen from more than four in ten (42.2 per cent) in 2005.

Trust director Jonathan Douglas said: "In recent times, boys have been lagging behind girls academically, but it's concerning that Sats results and our research show the gap is continuing to grow."