10 Minutes - Why I wrote a book to get dads reading...

I'll be honest. I didn't initially set out to write a children's book series with a mission. I didn't even set out to write a children's book. I just wanted to make up some stories where I could make bedtime more fun for my children and connecting with them.

The next thing I knew I had written five full stories, had half written another seven/eight quests for Jack the Knight and his friends (not to mention a few stories for an astronaut themed series) have a folder with nearly 2,000 different types of mythical creature, information on 500+ castles in the UK, details on the real meaning of nursery rhymes, stories about Humpty Dumpty being a cannon and lots and lots of notes on interesting stuff that happened in the medieval period.

I like to research, but I also love children's picture books and the joys it brings to my children. Before having children nobody tells you about reading picture books to small children: it's genuinely one of the best things you'll ever do. Not in a worthy, improving way, though the research strongly supports it, but in a this-is-actually-really-fun way that surprises most dads when they discover it.

Reading picture books aloud is performance. You get to do the silly voices, build the tension, milk the comic timing. You get to hold the pause before ROOOAR thunders out and watch your child absolutely lose their mind with delight and the room fills with laughter. Absolutely magical.

And here's the part of the research that surprised me the most...

Research led by the University of Leeds found that fathers who regularly read and engaged in educational activities with their children at age three were associated with improved educational outcomes at ages five and seven. The positive association remained even after accounting for factors such as household income, ethnicity and the child's gender.

The research also found that the impact of fathers reading is different from the impact of mothers. Dads often bring something slightly different to storytime, introducing different vocabulary, humour and styles of interaction that can complement the benefits children receive from reading with their mothers. Combined this leads to:

• stronger early literacy skills

• improved educational outcomes

• richer vocabulary development

Multiple studies have suggested that as little as ten-fifteen minutes of shared reading each day can make all the difference to children's language development and literacy skills.

So why don't more dads become regular storytime readers?

Part of the challenge is that many dads simply don't see themselves reflected in the conversations around children's books. The recommendations, social media accounts and book roundups are often aimed at mums, which is completely understandable, given that women still buy most children's books (between 57-70% of purchases). But it can mean some dads never quite find the stories, the characters etc that make them excited to pick up a book and perform it at bedtime.

I wrote THE GOOD KNIGHT because I wanted stories that children would love and dads would genuinely enjoy reading aloud.

I wanted ROOOARS.

I wanted silly voices.

I wanted dragons, giants, unicorns, Trows, impossible quests and the kind of adventures that make children ask for "just one more story" or to fall asleep while you are reading a book for the 4th time that evening.

Of course, these books are for mums, grandparents and anyone who shares a story with a child. But Jack the Knight, Fire Pud the Dragon and Princess Charlotte are on a particular quest of their own - who knows what quest Sir Percy is on, but I am sure dads will grow to love him too!

The trio want more dads reading. Because when children see the adults they love enjoying books, something powerful happens. Reading stops feeling like homework and starts feeling like an adventure, it creates a lifelong love of reading and that is one of the greatest gifts you can give to a child.

The research suggests that even a few minutes of shared reading each day can make a meaningful difference. I believe that stories can genuinely change lives and form magical bonds between a child and his/her parents.

And if one day Jack helps a child discover a lifelong love of reading, or helps a dad discover how much fun storytime can be, then this little knight will have completed one of the most important quests of all.