Fathers are the biggest culprits, with only 3 per cent of fatherssitting down and reading to their children, compared with 89 per cent ofmothers.
The survey of 2,000 parents of under-11s found fathers blaming workcommitments (87 per cent) and being too tired (34 per cent) for notreading to their children.
Mothers were more likely to rely on grandparents or siblings rather thanfathers to read their child a book.
The survey was commissioned by Happy Films and CITV to promote thetelevision series 'Bookaboo', which starts this week on CITV (News, 4February).
Viv Bird, chief executive of the Book Trust, said, 'This research hasrevealed there are still great challenges in encouraging fathers toenjoy sharing books with children. We hope the male celebritiesappearing in Bookaboo will encourage fathers, grandfathers, brothers,uncles and male carers to share the joy of reading.'
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