My Grandma's Library

There were books in every room. At Grandma’s house, books were prized and used. And the treasure trove was in the finished basement: her library. It was dusty there with dim lighting and rows of books—thousands of books covering every genre imaginable, especially who-dunits.

But my favorite book spot at Grandma’s house was in her family room: a shelf full of children’s books. At least 100 of them. It was magical to flip through each one, reading an afternoon away (or better yet, getting Grandma to read to me).

She probably didn’t know it, but she was doing more than scoring a bit of quiet time in the house—she was shaping my future.

You can’t argue with the data. Books matter.
Research consistently shows that having books in the home is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, language development, and lifelong learning.

A 2010 landmark study from the University of Nevada, Reno (the birthplace of White Lake Press and Zac’s alma mater) found that children growing up in homes with even a modest collection of books—around 80—perform significantly better in school than those without access to books at home. Even a small collection of 20 books made a difference.

Mariah Evans, author of the study, put it this way:
“You get a lot of ‘bang for your book.’ It’s quite a good return-on-investment in a time of scarce resources.”

Think about it—regardless of location, socio-economic status, race, or a parent’s level of education, books in the home lead to higher levels of learning. That makes books a great equalizer and an incredible, attainable resource for every family.

But beyond those measurable benefits, a book-filled home nurtures curiosity, strengthens family bonds, and fosters a love for storytelling that lasts a lifetime. Just the presence of books creates an environment that encourages learning and signals to children that reading is a valued and enjoyable activity.

You don’t need an elaborate library to make an impact—every book counts. Taking small, consistent steps to grow your home library (or your grandchild’s) will make a measurable difference.

And remember: by filling your home with books, you’re giving your child the gift of knowledge, imagination, and endless possibilities. Let us help you find some great ones.

Warm regards,
Miriam Monette
Founder, White Lake Press

P.S. You can read the study summary here:
https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2010/books-in-the-home