Details
Synopsis
Provides an overview of economics and money, including earning, spending, saving, checks and credit cards, banks, and the history of money.
| Size | | Length: | 128 pages | | Height: | 9.5 in | | Width: | 9.5 in | | Thickness: | 0.8 in | | Weight: | 24.0 oz |
Industry Reviews
Godfrey (Money Doesn't Grow on Trees), a syndicated columnist and former president of The First Women's Bank, appears to know kids as well as she knows finance. Rather than delving into detail in any area, her chatty, pun- and trivia-filled narrative touches on a broad range of topics: the history of money, budgeting, banking accounts, credit cards, supply and demand, starting a business, taxes, the stock market and other investment choices. Information is presented in brief, easily absorbed blocks of text, surrounded by extended captions, comments from characters, etc. Numerous sidebars include some with recurring themes. Under the heading "Word Bank," for example, Godfrey defines finance-related vocabulary (promissory note, entrepreneur); under "A Penny for Your Thoughts," she challenges readers to consider various money matters ("Would you rather buy stocks or keep your money in a savings account?"); and under "Take Your Pick," she offers some speculative questions and math puzzlers. On occasion, Godfrey stretches the idea of reader participation a bit thin (as when she asks readers to "imagine that you're a check" and to describe whom they meet and any trouble they encounter). Yet for the most part, Godfrey's light-handed approach reinforced by Verougstraete's sometimes silly cartoon and collage art is right on the money. Ages 8-12. (Aug.)
Lopate
Gr 5-8 A lively account of money as children are most likely to encounter it, attractively illustrated with a colorful mixture of photographs and cartoons. After brief mentions of different ways to earn money, Godfrey presents some ideas for budgeting and gives an effective definition of opportunity cost, one of the most important ideas in economics. She interprets the banking system and how individuals use it. Check writing is detailed and the check-cashing cycle is illustrated. The chapter on credit, with its explanations of how credit cards work and an analysis of the potential problems, is particularly well done. In the same breezy style, Godfrey covers the economy, public finance, and investing. However, there are instances of oversimplification. In addition to the glossary at the end, important terms are defined in little notes throughout the text. Some of the drawings are particularly well suited to explaining the concepts such as the panels that show how the price of lemonade can vary with the weather. This title updates Adriane Berg's Totally Awesome Money Book for Kids (and Their Parents) (Newmarket, 1993). Its artwork makes it more attractive than Marion Rendon and Rachel Kranz's Straight Talk about Money (Facts On File, 1992), a book that provides more background information and is better balanced ideologically. For concise effectiveness and youthful spirit, however, Godfrey's title is unmatched. Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds, WA
Fox
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