Reading Decline

Power of stories

Drew (2005) stories provide template for character and self-development and structure for interpreting real life (as cited by Haven, 2007, p.  103).
Early and regular use of stories  with children benefits mathematic and logical thinking (Haven, p. 104).
After comprehension comes creating meaning by linking to personal experiences.

Reading Decline

Zipes argues that there has been a decline in reading in America, particularly amongst young adults, and that this has had flow on effects to declining literacy levels and detrimental impacts on culture and civic responsibility. Reading practices have become less reflective and analytical, that there has been a dumbing down of children

Books have become a vehicle for profit rather than education.  The market is deciding what is being written and thus what children read. Cross promotion of books, films and merchandising has essentially commercialised the reading experience.   Publishers are concerned with producing books to promote other books and products, and children's tastes are being moulded to suit the industry (p. 36). Copycat and spinoff book series are created following successful titles. Links to film and TV series are created for new titles and to relaunch old stories and in some cases spawn new titles in the book series. Zipes argues that the industry aims to "capitalise on a book as a commodity" (p. 38).
Regardless of the contents of a book, good advertising and distribution can sell any book (p. 38).  However must also note that with the increasing digital age, book market , including libraries and bookstores is shrinking.

Le Guin's (as cited by Zipes, p. 38) definition of a book however is important to note in light of digital technologies, that to fully experience a book requires collaboration between the reader and writer. Further, a book enables the reader social interaction with other readers. As books and reading have such social value, Zipes contends, they are crucial to the society's development (p. 39).

Zipes then argues that adults are misreading children's reading practices and the way in which technological changes have altered the way they interact with the world.   Children now read differently, multimodaly, with traditional alphabetical literacy methods no longer meeting their reading needs. He argues that children show greater loyalty to brands and market forces, than to the traditional forces of family or community, and that adults must learn to address these changes if they wish to learn what reading and books mean to children today (p. 43).

Reference
Haven, K. F. (2007). Story proof: The science behind the startling power of story. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Zipes, J. (2009). Misreading children and the fate of the book in : Relentless progress the reconfiguration of children's literature, fairytales, and storytelling. London: Routledge. (Ch. 2, p. 27-44).