Do I Need It? Or Do I Want It?

August 1, 2010

K-Gr 2-These books offer easy-to-read introductions to the world of economics. Addressing readers as "you," Larson asks questions such as, "Did you ever get money for your birthday?" and "How do you decide what to do with your money?" (Do I Need It?). The everyday-life examples will demonstrate to children that they can play a vital role in the economic world. Clear, age-appropriate language explains new concepts well: "When someone works at a paid job, he or she earns money. This money is called income." Simple paragraphs of two to four short sentences appear in large colored fonts against bright backgrounds that change color with every page. Each title includes an activity such as making a spend-or-save list to help decide what to do with birthday money. The books' layout is interesting and fresh, and each page features a large, well-chosen photograph with a boxed caption. A caption in What Is Money, Anyway? states that "People trade goods at swap meets," which may confuse readers who only know swap meets as a place to buy merchandise. Margaret Hall's "Earning, Saving, Spending" series (Heinemann, 2008) covers similar topics of money, banks, allowance, credit cards, and checks, but is for first through third graders. Report writers will value her longer paragraphs with detailed coverage including history and global issues. Larson's books will help ease younger readers into the world of economics.-June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2010
Grades K-2 Few books about money issues aim for a very young audience, and this title in the new Exploring Economics series does it well in a friendly, interactive, question-and answer format about getting money, spending it, and saving it. How do kids choose what to do with their earnings, from an allowance, a gift, or being paid to do chores? Should they spend it all right away on impulse buys, like candy; save up for a camera, a toy, or a video game; or donate to a worthy cause? Larson discusses the options and includes a quick view of how grown-ups make money, spend, and save; essentials and choices in families; and, on a larger scale, budgets in cities, schools, and businesses. A final activity about how to make a personal budget shows a kids simple computer printout with dates, income, and expenses. The tone is nonjudgmental about childrens choices, and the practical options and the hands-on examples will open up discussion. Numerous color photos, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading complete this useful title.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)