Books can be a great way to teach kids about finances and money management! Stories and examples often bring financial concepts to life and help children make connections to their own lives. When it comes to teaching children about making good financial decisions, these books are some of our favorites.
Books for Grades K – 2
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
Rosa’s family home is destroyed in a fire, so her family works hard to save money for a new chair that they can all enjoy. This book has won the Caldecott Award Honoree, American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, and Boston Globe Best Children’s Book Illustration Award.
The Coin Counting Book by Rozanne Williams
This book uses rhyming text, a simple format, and large photos of coins to teach children the many ways to add up to a dollar. It is a great book for young children who are beginning to learn how to identify and count coins. The Coin Counting Book supports early math concepts and addition.
Just Saving My Money by Mercer Mayer
This book is a great way to introduce young children to the concept of working to earn money. In this story, Little Critter wants to buy a skateboard so he completes chores to earn money.
Books for Grades 3 – 5
Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst
Alexander receives a dollar from his grandparents and really wants to save it for a new radio, but he keeps finding other things to buy instead. These impulse purchases start to add up quickly. This is a story that many children can relate to and teaches the message that saving takes discipline.
Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock by Sheila Bair
This is a helpful book to show children how money can grow. Twin brothers Rock and Brock make very different decisions with their money. By the end of the book, they both learn a valuable lesson about the importance of saving and interest. A section at the end charts the boys’ savings to help children visualize what happens to money over time.
Willie Wins by Almira Astudillo Gilles
The students in Willie’s class all bring a piggy bank to school for a savings contest. Willie’s dad gives him an alkansiya–a bank made out of a coconut shell from the Philippines. Willie is embarrassed by having an unusual bank and some kids tease him, but he learns a valuable lesson about saving money and building self-esteem.
Books for Grades 6 – 8
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
This story is about Evan, a fourth-grader, who challenges his little sister to a lemonade stand contest to see who can earn the most money. The story incorporates tips for making money, definitions of business terms, and math problems. It also teaches kids about business, family relationships, teamwork, and forgiveness.
A Smart Girl’s Guide to Money by Nancy Holyoke
A Smart Girl’s Guide to Money is an engaging book that gives kids practical advice for starting a business. It also explains a range of personal finance topics like becoming a smart shopper, saving and investing. The format of this book is interactive, with short quizzes that help readers reflect on their learning.
DK Eyewitness Books: Money by Joe Cribb
This is a great book for young history buffs. It covers the evolution of money, the earliest banks, how money has shaped different cultures, and how it’s made today. This book is full of interesting money trivia (like where the term piggy bank came from) and has beautiful photographs.
Ultimate Kids’ Money Book by Neale S. Godfrey
This book is packed with information and uses everyday scenarios to cover a wide range of topics including earning, saving, spending, banking, credit cards, taxes, and investing. There are colorful photos and cartoons to help clarify concepts and each chapter ends with ideas for child-friendly projects related to money.