I am not surprised that a popular author would make these statements, but I am shocked that a children's author would. Simply put, literacy rates would collapse because a large number of families simply cannot afford to purchase a steady stream of books for their children. Yes, they need that steady stream since the reading habits of children is different from the reading habits of adults. An adult can read a book a month (or even a book a year) and remain literate while sustaining an interest in reading and maintaining the ability to read. Children need the steady stream to acquire literacy skills, to continue developing them, and develop the habits of reading.