Impact of owning books When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.- Desiderius Erasmus  Evans et al: Family scholarly culture and educational success: books and schooling in 27 nations (including South Africa)  More than 500 books in the home gives a child a big advantage  Mean number of leisure books in South African households = 8  Median = 32  More than half of South Africa’s households have no books