Children's Books that will Educate Kids about Money

Enough with the fairytale or picture books! It’s time to start teaching your little predecessors about the real facts of life. However, their little brains don’t have enough attention span or skill to digest financial jargon in books or magazines (you don’t understand some of them either). Teaching your kids about animal sounds and rainbow colors is for playtime. If you want to get down to business—you teach them to dodge a fiscal crisis of doom.

Here are a few must-have books for your children if you want to show the little tykes how awesome their parents are:


• Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst

An excellent bedtime story pick not only for the offspring, but also for the adult reader as well. You can hide your embarrassment if you see yourself relating to how Alexander loses everything just because of a bet. Read about how Alexander’s dreams are crushed because of irrational decisions, and I’m sure both you and your kid will want to avoid that situation in particular.

• A Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton

What’s particularly interesting with this book is not because it’s a song, or is that it’s written by Dolly Parton, but because it’s an autobiography. That’s right. Before there was even Dollywood, this world famous country singer once wore a coat made of rags… and was proud of it. At the end of the song is her valuable advice: “One is only poor, only if they choose to be.” If you don’t think that’s worth teaching your kid, then I don’t know what is.

• The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money by Stan Berenstain

This might have been written years ago, but its message remains true. Your kid is guaranteed to relate to this story. Brother and Sister bear go nuts and do anything just to save money for a video game. Definitely something for everyone, especially the gamer parent.

• A Smart Girl’s Guide to Money by Nancy Holyoke

No need to beat around the bush with this book. If your daughter is showing signs that she’s interested in making or saving money, this is the book to inspire her to do more. It’s got tips, quizzes, and quotes. It will definitely keep your baby girl occupied and productive.

• Pretty Penny Sets Up Shop by Devon Kinch

With cute drawings and an interesting lead, this book might just inspire your children to be an entrepreneur. If they take inspiration from Penny, they will always figure out a way to earn money no matter what the situation. Definitely worth a read!

If your kids learn the importance of money early on in their life, you can rest easy that it will be quite useful and practical not only to their personal finances, but to yours as well.