Money, Money, Money

Where It Comes From How to Save It Spend It and Make It

“Its true there arent any parks graced by shady trees with leaves of crisp dollar bills,” writes the author. “But money does grow on trees, and on bushes, and even under the ground, too.” Most children are fascinated with money. They earn it, receive it as gifts, find it, or yearn for it, but how much do they really know about it?

After reading this book, theyll know it all, including the fact that paper money is made from trees wood pulp and the leaves of cotton and flax bushes. Kids ages nine to thirteen will learn how money is made, its history, its future, and everything in between. The detailed text combined with credited photographs and clever illustrations create a book that is both informative and entertaining.

Chapters that catch the readers attention include “Cops and Robbers,” a look inside the illicit world of counterfeiting, stealing, and conning; and “Money Talks,” fascinating facts about the different terms used to describe money, including foreign languages and slang.

Along with all the money facts, the author shares tips on earning, saving, sharing, and protecting money. Want to be a millionaire? “Set aside five dollars a day for ten years. Then take that amount, invest it wisely in the stock market, and leave it alone for 40 years.” Not sure how to make that $5 a day? Drobot suggests several kid-friendly ways to earn. What about philanthropy? She offers ways to do this as well.

Scattered throughout are tidbits of extra information in colorful sidebars titled “Check it out!” One tells the true story of the piggy bank: “In England, a kind of red clay used to make pots was called pygg. After several hundred years of people using pygg to keep their coins in, a clever potter decided to make the pot look like its name sounded: a pig.” Another “Check it out!” explains: “Americans say something is phony as a two-dollar bill. Canadians say its phony as a three-dollar bill.”

The author is a writer, journalist, and broadcaster from Toronto, Canada. Her five previous books include three volumes about currency, and her knowledge of that subject, including well-documented research, is evident within the pages of Money, Money, Money. At times the amount of information is close to overwhelming, but the lively design and presentation keep the reader lingering on each page. The illustrator has provided dynamic art for several teen books, including the “Girl Zone” series.

This new title combines education with entertainment. Parents and teachers will embrace the opportunity to talk to kids about monetary responsibility, and kids will get the message while learning fun money trivia.

Reviewed by Troy-Michelle Reinhardt

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Load Next Review