Kid-Friendly Books That Make Learning About Money Fun
Financial literacy is one of the most important skills kids need to be successful adults. From learning how to save, and spend wisely, to understanding the value of a dollar, financial literacy is crucial to future success. Luckily there’s a fun way to introduce this otherwise daunting topic: kids books about money!
Kids books about money make learning about finances enjoyable and easy to grasp, all while setting the scene for important discussion between parents and kids.
After my experience as a teacher in the public school system, I know that these topics are often only briefly taught, if at all. That’s why it’s so important for parents to take the initiative and teach their children about money themselves.
Below, we’ve compiled 10 of the best kids books about money that will help your child understand the basics of money in an engaging and practical way.
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What is financial literacy?
“Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing.” –Fernando (2024)
Financial literacy is the ability to make informed decisions about earning, spending, saving, and investing money effectively. It also includes understanding key concepts like budgeting, interest, credit, taxes, and loans.
Why is financial literacy important for kids?
Kids need to be financially literate to be successful when they enter adulthood and pursue life on their own. They are going to want to buy a house, car, or go to college and need to understand these big terms in order to make smart financial decisions. We want to send our children off into the world knowing they aren’t going to be bamboozled by the first flashy salesman who offers them their dream car for a “great deal.”
This starts with them understanding the basic concepts of saving and spending wisely. Once your child understands these things, you should introduce them to more and more complex topics until they are fully financially literate.
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10 Kids books about money to start your child on the road to financial literacy
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Pay Matters To Kids by David Weaver
This book teaches kids the importance of saving, spending, and budgeting through engaging storytelling and vibrant illustrations. Among children’s books about money, this one stands out for its relatable content that kids can easily apply to their lives. Each page offers practical ideas on how kids can earn money and smart ways to use it.
I love this book because it simplifies a complex topic, making saving money feel achievable for young kids with limited earning opportunities. It’s a great addition to every family’s repertoire of kids books about money.
The Go-Around Dollar by Barbara Johnston Adams
This book follows the journey of a dollar bill in America, from the moment it is printed to its circulation through the hands of many different people as it is spent and passed along. This book is unique in that it explains the significance of different aspects on the bill itself, like the numbers, as well as what to do if the bill gets damaged.
Ideal for older kids, this book is a great addition to a social studies lesson on money. It delves into more complex aspects of currency that older students will find engaging and informative.
If You Made a Million by David M. Schwartz
This children’s book about money starts with the basics, explaining the value of coins in relation to one another. As the story progresses, it introduces more complex concepts like interest and down payments, breaking them down into simple, easy-to-understand terms.
At the end, the author reveals how many pennies it would take to make a million dollars—and the answer is surprising! This is a fantastic book for elementary students to learn how money works in a fun and engaging way.
Essential Skills Every Kid Should Know by Fern Bowe
This book is designed to help tweens develop essential life skills as they prepare for the “real world.” The money section covers key financial lessons, including setting a budget, saving, and earning money. Learning to manage finances at a young age is a crucial skill that will benefit tweens for years to come.
Often given as a gift, read aloud with parents, or used in homeschools, this book is valued for its comprehensive approach to teaching the skills kids need to succeed in life. This same author has other kids books about money that kids enjoy. Find them here.
The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Papa Bear grows frustrated with Brother and Sister Bear constantly asking for money, so he decides it’s time to teach them the value of a dollar. The cubs must learn how to earn, save, and spend wisely. But will they take his lessons to heart, or will they keep wasting their money on unnecessary things?
This fun and engaging story appeals to kids of all ages, providing a great opportunity for parents to discuss important money lessons alongside the Bear family’s journey.
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I Am Money by Julia Cook and Garrett Gunderson
Learn about money from Money himself! This unique book teaches kids about earning, saving, and spending wisely—all from Money’s own perspective. It introduces different types of currency, including credit cards and even crypto, while also emphasizing the importance of generosity and giving to those in need.
I love this book because it covers modern financial concepts in a way that’s easy for kids to understand. The fun illustrations make the story even more engaging!
One Cent, Two Cents, Old Cent, New Cent: All About Money: All About Money by Bonnie Worth
The Cat in the Hat is here to teach kids all about money through playful rhymes and vibrant illustrations, just like the beloved Dr. Seuss books. This story explores how ancient cultures bartered, the evolution of money throughout history, and the origins of banking.
Perfect for kids who love Dr. Seuss-style books, this engaging read makes the nonfiction topic of money fun and accessible. The lively illustrations help keep young readers interested from start to finish!
Just Saving My Money by Mercer Mayer
Little Critter wants a skateboard, but his dad won’t buy it for him. Instead, he has to save up his own money to afford it. However, he quickly realizes that saving isn’t as easy as he thought. Will he ever reach his goal and buy the skateboard?
This book is a great introduction to money for younger kids. With a relatable storyline, it helps children understand the effort required to earn and save money in a fun and engaging way.
The Everything Kids’ Money Book: Earn it, save it, and watch it grow! by Brette Sember
This book teaches kids what money can buy, how credit cards work, what stocks are, and how to make their money grow. It introduces the concept of interest and its impact on savings while emphasizing the importance of building wealth. Encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset, this book inspires kids to start small businesses and explore investing.
I love that this book goes beyond simply making and saving money—it teaches kids how to grow their wealth. It’s a great resource for introducing unique and valuable financial concepts in an engaging way.
Curious George Saves His Pennies by H.A. Rey
When George decides to save up for a toy train, he quickly learns that saving money takes a lot of time and effort. After working hard and finally reaching his goal, disaster strikes—he loses his piggy bank! Will he find it in time to buy the train?
I love this book because my son is obsessed with Curious George right now, and it’s a perfect introduction to the concept of saving money in a fun and relatable way.
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Enjoy these kids books about money! Please share which one is your child’s favorite!
SAVE THIS FOR LATER!
Ellyse
Can’t wait to get a few of these to read! Thanks for putting this together!
Amanda
These are great recommendations! Looking forward to adding some of these to our homeschool day and library 🙂
Kristen
I enjoyed reading this! It is such a great idea and so needed for children to learn!