By Cheryl Tan

Once upon a time, it was often the job of mum to read bedtime stories. Dad was too tired from work, and besides, it seemed mum's role.

But then the National Library Board (NLB) came along and launched an event to get Daddy Dearest hooked on reading books to the kids.

The project is called 10,000 Fathers Reading and the first event was held two years ago.

The end.

Well, actually it marked the beginning of a whole new chapter in father-child bonding. The idea has proved so successful that 10,000 Fathers Reading has been held each year since then.

The latest instalment will be at the National Library Building's The Plaza next Sunday. There will be colouring competitions and reading programmes along with pop-up book building and parenting workshops. About 1,000 people including children are expected to turn up.

The library has selected 15 fathers as reading ambassadors, including Straits Times Life! columnist Neil Humphreys. They will mingle with the dads and kids, take part in the activities and read a short story onstage together.

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'Traditionally, we have noticed that it is mothers who are the main readers to their children in the library,' said an NLB spokesman.

The event is meant to encourage fathers to take on a more active role in reading to and educating their children, she said.

As for fathers who already take on storyteller roles at home, such sessions do more than help lull their children to sleep (see other stories).

They say that starting children on books when they are young helps jumpstart their reading habits and improves their self- esteem and social confidence. Having such quality time also helps fathers bond with their children.

Fathers Reading ambassador Mok Loi Wong said the half-an-hour he had before bedtime with his now-teenage son as a child helped to strengthen their relationship.

'That time was when I had his full attention, not while he was watching TV,' said the 56-year-old technical officer, who started reading to his son, Marathon Mok, when he was three.

The son, now a business administration polytechnic student, has turned his childhood habit into a regular chit-chat session with his father. He even waits for his father to get home from work just so they can spend 15 minutes talking about their day.

During that time, they talk about everything from school crushes to soccer and science fiction.

Many parents would say that such ease of sharing is unlike the usual teenage thirst for privacy that adults tear their hair out over.

But Marathon, who got his name because his father loves to run marathons, explained: 'I've been doing it since I was young.'

It is also easier as 'my dad is friendly and approachable and is not an authoritarian father', he added.

Such intangible benefits are also why Mr Mohamad Rafie Abdul Sajit champions reading to his two younger daughters.

The 45-year-old said: 'It is very fulfilling because you can relate to your kids. It feels nice to be a part of their lives.'

This article was first published in The Sunday Times .