In this essay, I will discuss the importance of reading in the classroom and how teachers can engage learners and enable them to develop their reading knowledge and skills. It is important that teachers devote time to learners so that they discover reading in its two forms, fiction and non-fiction. This is why I will discuss these two forms and how they allow children to develop knowledge and skills. Throughout my studies, I have found that fiction is the most commonly used form of text in primary schools, as it is presented in many forms, including stories, pictures and poems. Fiction is considered important because it helps teach phonics rules, specific words, and spelling conventions. It also allows learners to develop their analytical skills and inspires their imagination and creativity. Singer (1981) critically links the amount of exposure children have to reading to the development of their imagination. He says that "children who have been exposed to a considerable amount of reading by their parents demonstrate increased imagination." This argument has been further developed by the University of Warwick, which has carried out studies into the effect of parental involvement and the home learning environment on literacy. Study results showed that "children's literacy levels are strongly linked to their parents' education levels" and that if a child's mother read daily for her own pleasure, the chances of that child being graded below average in reading were reduced. by 85%. (Hartas, 2012) Teachers can help their students develop their reading skills by setting aside time each day to read to them and creating a classroom library. (Neuman, 2001) Through the creation of a classroom library, teaching...... middle of paper ....... The importance of the classroom library. Early childhood today. 15 (5), 12. Rumelhart, DE (1994). Towards an interactive model of reading. In: Ruddell, R.B.; Ruddell, M.; Singer, H Theoretical models and the reading process. 4th ed. Newark: International Reading Association. 864-894 Schnellert, Datoo L, Ediger M, Panas K, J (2009). Bringing It Together: Integrating Inquiry, Assessment, and Instruction in Today's English Classroom. Canada: Pembroke Publishers Limited. 107-111.Singer, J and Singer, D. (1981). Television and reading in the development of the imagination. Children's literature. 9 (10), 126-136Wolf, W. King, ML and Huck, CS (1968). Teaching critical reading to primary school children. Quarterly Research Reading. 3 (4), 435 - 498. Wray, D and Lewis, M (1997). Expanding Literacy: Children read and write nonfiction. London: Routledge. 30-91.