No bedtime story? Only 1 in 3 parents read to kids every night

Many say kids spend more time with TV, video games

DETROIT, Mich. – Is the bedtime story getting the boot? 

Reading books before bed has been a time-honored tradition in many families. But it doesn't happen every night in most homes, according to new survey from Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Macy's.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, finds 87 percent of parents say they read bedtime stories with their kids, but only one in three parents do so every night. 

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Technology may be taking a toll. 

Fifty percent of parents say their children spend more time with TV or video games than with books.

The results are based on the online responses of 1,003 parents with children age 8 or younger.

The survey also found there's still nothing quite like turning the pages of a favorite book.  In spite of the growing popularity of e-books, printed books are still preferred by most kids and parents.  Twice as many children favor a printed book over an e-book, say parents who read both types of books to their children.

Having access to those books is key. 

Research shows family income has a big impact on reading frequency.  The survey found children of families with an annual household income below $35,000 are more likely to watch TV than read books.



To get more kids reading, Macy's and Reading Is Fundamental are teaming up for the 10th year to deliver books to children in need nationwide.  Their month-long campaign Be Book Smart launches June 21, and invites customers to donate $3 at any Macy's register to help provide a book for a child in their local community.  Customers will receive a coupon for $10 off an in-store purchase of $50 or more.

Last year, Macy's helped to raise $4.8 million to provide 1.6 million books to children.

To learn more about the Be Book Smart program, click here.

For advice to boost reading in your family, click here.