Could Your Child Write Their Own Bedtime Story?

Now that Harry Potter is all grown up who will unite parents and their children when it comes to reading? Research reveals that only 1 in 5 children are read to before bedtime and nearly a third are only read to a couple of times a week.

The loss of this ritual read means an end to the tradition of parents spending time with their children at the end of the day. Of the parents that do manage a bit of Red Riding Hood, nearly half spend less than 10 minutes reading and Dads are in fact more likely to perform the task than mums. Allowing a child to drift off whilst watching a DVD doesn't come close to the benefits of reading at bedtime. People are far more likely to remember the stories read to them as a child, on those rare occasions when they have an adult all to themselves.

JK Rowling's magician and his fantasy world were so popular partly because it tapped into readers' imaginations. Young people's capacity for creativity is aptly demonstrated by Christopher Paolini, who started work on his fantasy classic "Eragon" when he was just 15.  By the time he was 19 he had his work published and was touring schools across the USA and since then his novel has been made into a Hollywood film. 

So now the search has officially begun for the next generation's JK Rowling. Silentnight have launched the second annual Book at Bedtime contest, calling for children aged between 7 and 12 to show the adults how it's done and write their own bedtime story.  The winner will have their book illustrated and published for the whole nation and future generations to enjoy.

Kaye Umansky, author of the 'Pongwiffy' books will read the ten finalists' stories before joining the expert judging panel including last year's winner Josie Tolliday to decide on a winner.

For more information visit www.silentnight.co.uk/bookatbedtime

The winner will be announced at the grand final to be held at Waterstone's in Piccadilly on August 6th during Silentnight's "National Love Your Bed Week."

The Appeal Of Harry Potter
The Reading Bug....And How To Help Your Child Catch It

My Son Lacks Confidence
Q: Our son will soon be 6, he appears to completely lack confidence. He will not go to parties, unless me or his dad are there, even if it’s a party with his school friends. He is really good at football and we thought it would be a good idea if he joined the local football team. We have been taking him along and he will not join in at all, even though he knows some of the other children there. When he is in a comfortable environment he appears over confident. Can you help?

Motivating Your Child
Can the motivation techniques used in business and sport be applied to children? This is the question explored by Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer in her book ‘Motivating Your Child’. Offering advice on giving their children encouragement to succeed at school and in life generally, this book discusses different motivational styles, and everyday problems such as managing homework, peer pressure, stress and lack of confidence.

Good Mother Bad Mother by Gina Ford
As Gina Ford’s mother lay dying of cancer, she turned to her sister and asked her a question; ‘Was I a good mother?’It is this haunting question, the question so many mothers ask themselves, which is explored in Good Mother Bad Mother.