The total UK market for books is estimated to have grown by 18% in the last five years, whilst children's books as a niche sector has increased by 20%:

Despite the Harry Potter phenomenon, non-fiction and reference titles have grown more quickly than fiction titles since 1995.

Has the increase of parental targeting, as opposed to schools, made a significant difference to a more widespread interest in children's books?

How successful have publisher's customised websites for children been in developing interactive relationships with young readers?

The total UK market for books is estimated to have grown by 18% in the last five years, whilst children's books as a niche sector has increased by 20%:

Despite the Harry Potter phenomenon, non-fiction and reference titles have grown more quickly than fiction titles since 1995.

Has the increase of parental targeting, as opposed to schools, made a significant difference to a more widespread interest in children's books?

How successful have publisher's customised websites for children been in developing interactive relationships with young readers?

In this report, Mintel looks separately for the first time at the UK market for children's books. We review how Government and other initiatives to improve literacy have worked with other factors, including the high standard of much present children's book publishing, to contribute to market growth. In particular, we examine whether this growth can be maintained.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

Children's Comics and Magazines, Market Intelligence, August 2000

Video and Computer Games, Leisure Intelligence, August 2000

Teenage Magazines, Market Intelligence, July 2000

Pocket Money, Market Intelligence, June 2000

Book Retailing, Retail Intelligence, February 2000

Entertaining the Under-16s, Leisure Intelligence, September 1999

Books, Market Intelligence, May 1999.