As we arrive in April, we’re finally shaking off the chill of the colder months so spring can be ushered in. But we’re also stepping into Financial Literacy Month! We at Read to Them are longtime advocates of financial literacy, but you may be asking yourself: What is financial literacy?
Financial literacy is the knowledge and skills that allows an individual to make informed, effective decisions with all of their financial resources. This includes things like budgeting, debt management, and personal finances. A strong early foundation in financial literacy can help fulfill many life goals, such as saving for a higher education or retirement.
You and your family can obtain financial literacy knowledge in a variety of ways, but our favorite? Through reading books, of course! Check out six of our financial literacy books below:
J.D. and the Great Barber Battle
by J. Dillard
When J.D.’s mom gives him an awful haircut, J.D. takes it upon himself to try and fix his mom’s failed attempt. And J.D. succeeds! Soon enough, kids in J.D.’s class are asking him to cut their hair, too. J.D. develops a hair-cutting business, and as it grows, so does J.D.’s confidence… and his candy jar. However, the town barber catches wind that J.D. is stealing his clients and threatens to shut down J.D.’s bedroom barber shop. In response? J.D. challenges his opponent to a barber battle to decide once and for all: who is the best barber in town?
by Jacqueline Davies
Jessie wants to keep up with her older brother, Evan, but Evan bristles at his sister’s creativity and non-stop energy. Their dynamic is put to the test when the siblings set out to see who can make the most money selling lemonade in the waning days of summer. They duke it out over supplies and advertising and marketing techniques, finding allies and trying ever-daring strategies to win the contest. This is one competition you won’t want to miss!
Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire
By Sundee T. Frazier
Cleo has always been an entrepreneur– she’s the kind of kid who can (and will!) concoct a scheme to sell anything. So when Cleo’s teacher assigns her class a “Passion Project”, Cleo decides to launch the finest tooth-pulling company her town has ever seen. Cleo’s Quick and Painless Tooth Removal Service takes off as fast as a loose tooth… but a minor incident causes Cleo to lose customers and a friendship on the rocks challenges Cleo to find a better work-life balance.
by Karen English
It’ll be his little job, to learn the value of a dollar… Yes, I need someone to walk Carlotta, and he needs to earn the money to replace that snow globe.”
Gavin is adjusting to a new town and a new school. A disastrous attempt to impress a potential new friend leads to a broken snow globe – a punishment. Gavin is tasked with walking his Great Aunt Myrtle’s prized Pomeranian after school. While it isn’t exactly Gavin’s favorite activity, dog-walking provides plenty of opportunities for mishaps, misadventures, and even an ability to appreciate the value of a dollar.
by Andrew Clements
I know perfectly well what you are selling.
In this financial literacy classic, we meet Greg Kenton, who is somewhat of a serial entrepreneur. Everything is going great until Greg realizes he’s got competition in his neighbor, Maura. She’s stolen his latest money-making scheme: writing, illustrating, printing, and selling original comic books. Soon enough, Greg and Maura are competing for sales – only to find themselves joining forces against their principal, who is not a fan of their comic book market. The two must go from hostile foes to something like friends if they want to keep their ever-growing enterprise afloat!
by Jennifer Torres
Stef’s family owns a taco truck named Tía Perla. And while this was cool in elementary school, the kids in Stef’s middle school call her the “Taco Queen”… which is the last thing Stef wants to be. This tension comes to a head when Stef wins tickets to the biggest concert of the year but her parents won’t let her go. New city regulations threaten her family’s business and urges the Sotos to stand up for their fellow vendors. In a way that surprises even herself, Stef digs deep to discover what really matters the most.
What are your favorite children’s books about Financial Literacy? Share them with us in the comments below.
