Maybe -The invasion of the internet -The availability of other activities to do like skating swimming, dancing, art workshops etc -The increase in school assignments and homework -The decrease in time available to read Inspite of all the reasons I feel the parents are the ones who can create an interest in the child by exposing the child at a very young age to books.....take the child to a library,book store or story telling sessions (which have now become very popular) and make the child aware that there is a sea of books out there to plunge into... -PS. I was never a great reader...never graduated from comics and short stories but will surely try to inculcate the book reading habit in my child....:)

cool post buzz. very cool. btw, i wud like to add some more to buzz's list. Private libraries are unable to function becos of the invent of technological advances. The stories that I have read in school or also in college, most of them have been translated in their own language / and also english in terms of CD roms or DVD. When I go to Naidu Hall to buy attire for myself and the kids, the kids first want to go there to the 4th floor, to look at new titles which could have arrived, which has proved to be a substitute for reading a book. Parents - US (hey not USA, just us) I mean! Parents are the sole responsible elements for that kind of a decline. Some Parents have some deadlines to meet. Below is a conversation I have heard very frequently at places I frequent. Moms! (I spare DAD's here) Rather want always to boast that a) You know what my son plays cricket so well his trainer wants him to buy a new bat. (Dad's wallet on fire, never trust Kutty) :) b) hey did you look at the way my son swims, his school also enthuses it, he will one day be Kutral Eswaran. c) My son is a entry student at Jus Drums. But his beating (ofcourse the drums!) is so good, he hardly gets time with his books or a walk down to the library. d) Hey, you know what I have read and also heard that reciting slokas is the best way to increase the memory power of a kid. So why books! If all and more of the above is going to be there, then where will kids read books? Book reading was a "PASSION" in the years I have been in school/college. Book reading today is a "FASHION" in these recent years. (you can see a number of them (girls) either crouching up the PTC bus window or wear a Devdas (boys) look on their face (at the Besant Nagar Beach). Hey Chennai fellow-moms to vent out some concerns, I decide to stop here. Kutty

My daughter who is 10 years reads a lot.But i am not so happy with this as a mother and a bookworm myself.

she does not convers with people much and she lacks communication skill and takes the help of books to remain introvert..I feel communication is the key for success in the future then the bookish knowledge. I feel proud to be the mother of a intellectual girl like her. She is much advance then her age girls in her school.

Still I  feel, she should do something as a team then her other hobby ,singing and drawing which she excels.