While educators agree that money lessons involving currency, addition, and savings are essential, they also remind us that there is more to money than cash and piggy banks.

Lessons in money management taught through trial and error
A story for children with generous grandparents, Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst, is a rags to riches story wherein Alexander receives a generous sum from his grandparents, but loses it almost as quickly as he received it.
Gerard Clyne, Headmaster and Co-founder of Hyde Academy, recommends the skillfully drawn black and white picture book for the “valuable lessons in money management, handling adversity, and dealing with the consequences of one’s actions.” More importantly, the book teaches the value of money using Alexander’s humorous interactions with those around him as he struggles to control his expenditure. Children learn that “impulse buying and instant rewards don’t always provide long-term happiness.” In Alexander’s case, it brings him poverty and a useless pile of junk.
In the story every child can identify with, Alexander begins with high hopes as he imagines the endless possibilities money can buy him. While “he knows that he should save his money so that he could buy a walkie-talkie at a later date, he gives up his long-term goal for short-term gratification.” In fact, Alexander is punished for each poor financial decision he makes, but each time he fails to recognize how his misfortune is a direct result of his own actions.
As the previous Math and Science Coordinator, Clyne recognizes a great tool for teaching integrated literacy and math when he sees it, and recommends it for teaching money use. Adults can encourage children to keep track of Alexander’s monetary spending by trying “to figure out how much each item costs, the amount of money Alexander has spent as the story moves along, and how much he has at the end of the story.” Children will enjoy keeping track of Alexander’s odd purchases, “from buying chewing gum, a one-eyed teddy bear, and a half-melted candle to rented snakes,” exercising real world math skills while improving their sense of money. As Alexander learns “how far his money can take him and what happens when it’s gone,” children learn the importance of saving money and developing good spending habits.
The ending of the story is foreshadowed in its title, and the story takes children in a full circle from rags to rags, challenging the reader to end the loop. “Every action has its consequences,” reminds Clyne, as he highlights how the story teaches the importance of responsibility and how facing up to one’s consequences is what growing up is all about—profound lessons in money management for children four to eight years old.

The value of money is in using it to help others
The heart-warming narrative of A Chair for my Mother by Vera B. Williams is about how money can be used generously and selflessly. The main character, Rosa, is from a family consisting of only her mother and grandmother, and we learn that they are recovering from the tragedy of losing their home to a fire. Carl Trewin, Assistant Director of Studies at TSL Britain, recommends the uniquely illustrated picture book to children in grade three or higher, while emphasizing how its message of empathy can be appreciated by all ages.
In the story, Rosa’s mother works long days waitressing at a diner as the sole provider of the family, so Rosa and her grandmother help out by pooling their resources and putting all their pennies into the same jar. Their local community bigheartedly come together and raise funds to replace the furniture Rosa and her family had lost along with the rest of their belongings. Meanwhile, children can follow along as Rosa and her family try their best to fill up the coin jar—all the while wondering: will they be able to save enough money to buy Rosa’s grandmother a new armchair?
The story can be used to introduce a non-linear narrative to young readers, and open up a values-based discussion for older readers, says Trewin. “A number of wonderful conversations open up when reading this book with a young person: Why did the community buy new things for Rosa’s family? Why didn’t Rosa’s family have enough money?”
Trewin likes the book for the warm, comforting feelings it incites, the positive familial relationships it models, and the happy ending we all wait for.  A Chair for my Mother emphasizes to students that money is not an end in itself but should be used as a means for people to share moments with ones they love.” Not only does the story create positive associations to money, but “it is dripping with examples through which to explore empathy, from the community banding together to replace Rosa’s family’s belongings after a house fire, to Rosa’s concern for the mother and grandmother raising her.”  Young readers will especially appreciate how the story reinforces that no person or contribution is too small to make a difference.

This article originally appeared on page 34 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HYDE ACADEMY AND TSL BRITAIN

There’s more than chocolate in this classic fantasy fiction for ages 7 and up!
Brit Jason Wallien, Library Manager at International Montessori School of Beijing, shares his favorite childhood book, which he happily rereads with his students regularly.

Jason Wallien

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a time-tested masterpiece from a true storytelling master, Roald Dahl.  It is undisputed that Dahl had a knack for writing books for children seven and up, with the ability to instantly capture a child’s imagination. Just as children are left mouthwatering for the tasty treats described in the book, they will also want more of Dahl’s whizz-pop writing.

“Readers can relate to the protagonist, Charlie, in his love for chocolate, and dream of visiting the magical chocolate factory that has been closed off and shrouded in mystery for the past 15 years.  When Willy Wonka, the factory owner, announces a competition where finders of his five golden tickets will be allowed a visit to his factory, the world literally goes crazy for his chocolate bars. Charlie finds one out of pure luck and joins four other children in the exciting tour of the factory.

“The tale has a very firm sense of right and wrong, of justice and injustice, where Charlie is clearly put in an unfair situation despite his kind and caring character just because he’s poor. The story follows a strong, positive role model into a world full of unjust and wickedly wacky characters, but who ultimately, through perseverance and strength of character, comes out on top. Dahl’s vivid characters exist in a well-governed world of cause and effect that children can understand and believe, allowing his message to be clearly delivered to children despite his classic flare for description.

“Characters and descriptions in this book have stuck with me since I read it as a child. When I read it aloud to my students now, I can see a captive audience devouring those descriptions and rooting as whole-heartedly for Charlie as I did. I loved, love, and will love reading this book and sharing that feels good.”

Rebecca Taylor

A magical Australian culinary adventure for the younger crowd
Australian Rebecca Taylor, Elementary School Librarian at Beanstalk International Bilingual School, shares an award-winning picture book about Australian culture and foods, which connects her to her childhood whenever she reads it.

“Possum Magic by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas, is a book suitable for younger readers, aged 3 to 7 years, as its lyrical prose lends well to read-a-louds. The evocative illustrations combined with a magical storyline make a natural page-turner that sucks children in immediately.  The book unlocks a child’s curiosity and opens a door for families to discuss the unusual animals and foods from Australia, serving as the perfect springboard for talks about different cultures!

“The story begins with Grandma Poss, a cuddly, magical possum, who desperately wants to protect Hush, her baby possum, from the dangers of the Australian bush. So, Grandma Poss uses bush magic to make Hush invisible.  Being unseen is fun for a while, but then Hush realizes she wants to know what she looks like. Unfortunately, Grandma Poss can’t find the magic that would make Hush seen! She knows the cure has something to do with people food, and so they start an epic culinary journey around Australia to find a cure for Hush’s invisibility. Grandma Poss and Hush sample iconic Australian comfort foods ranging from savory (Vegemite sandwiches and tuna mornay) to sweet (pavlova and laminations)–which food will make Hush visible again?

Possum Magic gently delves into many concepts of interest to today’s internationally minded families, such as safety, security, perfection, culinary variety, and culture.  The subtle pacing of the book invites readers to come together in anticipation of finding out which foods will help make Hush visible. Taylor always surprises her students with Vegemite sandwiches after a first read through.

This article originally appeared on page 34 of the August 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photos: MSB, BIBS, and Roalddahl.com