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

As normal with the Beijing events cycle, we expect the summer to slow down, then pick up in August and beyond. Although we’ll keep this weekly post running over the summer, we encourage you to check out our events directory full of ongoing summer activities, from classes to camping trips. Only free, unique, and the best of next week will appear here. If you are a planner at heart, sign up for our Top Picks Newsletter, where we let you know the best of Beijing events significantly far into the future. You’ll never miss out on tickets!

Free Events

PMM Women Community Dinner, July 5
Adults. Vanessa Jencks, current writer and managing editor of beijingkids magazine will share funny and sad experience through her trial by fire time, helping her to come to the definitive decision that family comes first, especially when life is going wrong. Free. 7.30-9pm. In and Out 一坐一忘丽江主题餐厅 (wechat: mariamski)

Dance: Set the Rueda World Record! Saturdays and Sundays in July
Ages 13+ and up. Rueda is a large, swirling dance originating in Cuba that has partners change with partners. The last world record was set in Greece in 2014, but in the most populous country in the world, surely this record can be beat! Free. Saturdays in Chaoyang Park 5-7pm, Sundays in Olympic Forrest Park 5-7pm (Call or WeChat: 18811191765)

Learn How to Use Wechat Pay, July 9
Ages 14+. Students will learn how to use Wechat Pay and also learn some basic relevant vocabulary. RSVP by July 8. Free. 11am-Noon. Sinology Institute (WeChat id: mmmichellecli)

The Schoolhouse Community Service Day, July 9
Ages 8+ Every year The Brickyard Inn has a community service day to give back to their community. The proceeds of the lunch service go to the elderly of their village and township. Participation by companies and organizations is welcome. Free. Noon-3.30pm. The Brickyard Inn and Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall 瓦厂 (info@theschoolhouseatmutianyu.com)

Unique Events

3D Flying Symphony, July 8
All ages. This spellbinding, classical concert is designed for the young. It comprises of live performances by a full symphony orchestra, accompanied by an original 3D animated film created for the show. The first act, “Carnival of the Animals” is followed by an act inspired by the Nutcracker. RMB 20. 7.30pm – 9.00pm. Beijing Concert Hall (Buy tickets here).

Storytelling in Bookworm Café, Saturdays
Ages 5-12. This summer storytelling program runs from July 9 to August 6, and is an interactive English storytelling program that will include brunch, games, and music time. RMB 249 per session with discounts available. The Bookworm (sue@beijingbookworm.com)

Next week

Summer Day 2016, July 11-August 12
Ages 1.5 – 6. The Children’s House Summer Camp at its Kempinski Campus and China World campus will play in Chinese and English. Daily programs include nature arts and crafts, music, story tales and lots more. RMB 1,500 (half-day program per session) RMB 3,000 (full-day program per session) The Children’s House (info@montessoribeijing.com)

8th International Youth Summit on Energy and Climate Change (IYSECC), July 12-15
Ages 14+. IYSECC is a pioneering international youth meeting on energy and climate change in China. It aims to discuss youth how to accept opportunities and challenges better which bring by the global green revolution. RMB 488+ 8.30am – 5.30pm. Zhongguanyuan Global Village PKU (Register here)

Grug and the Rainbow In Beijing, July 14- July 31
Ages 5+. Featuring exquisite puppetry and more of the gentle storytelling that has delighted audiences around the world, this brand new show has been especially created for the next generation of our littlest theatre goers (and those who just love Grug and his quest for the rainbow). RMB 200+. 2.30pm-4.30pm. Multi-function Hall of Tianqiao Art Center (ponypiao@damai.cn)

Active Summer Camp at Kerry Hotel, July 18 – July 29
Ages 8+. Join Adventure Zone’s Active Summer Camp and energize your body and mind. Boost up your skills in this multi-sports program offering fun sports such gymnastics, karate, swimming, volleyball, fencing and more. RMB 2,750 (one week). RMB 4,500 (two weeks). Kerry Centre (adventurezonebeijing@thekerryhotels.com)

Photo Courtesy of DJ Wawa

You can never have enough books for a child, and if you own a smart phone or tablet computer, you can never have enough storybooks apps for the little ones. Here are six stories about mice, dogs, pandas, mermaids, a fairy, and a grandma that we’ve recently come across and that your children will enjoy.

The Three Pandas by Valerie Mih and developed by See Here Studios in association with Pandas International is one app that will make you feel good about owning it, as 10 percent of proceeds are donated to Pandas International (stunning photos of pandas on their website). The tale puts a panda spin on the story of Goldilocks and Three Bears. Although photos are used to illustrate the book, kids can tickle the pandas and Mei Mei to make them move. If your children love pandas, they will love this story. A huge plus to the Beijing crowd is the choice of English or Chinese text and narration and there is also an option to record your own voice for each page to personalize the narration. There are no external links on the title page, though there is one to an info page about pandas with links to Pandas International’s website, a review link, and email. The Three Pandas is available for the iPad or iPhone here for $2.99 and is suitable for kids ages 3 and up.

Mousey Howsee and the Rescuers was written by Jurga Sakalauskaite and Donatas Malinauskas, illustrated by Andrius Sliog, and developed by Realverus. On the one hand, it is difficult to say what this storybook app is about as the story changes depending on the time of day that you read it and depending on the season too. Frankly, I’d welcome spring right now to see what the story will be like; that and I’m tired of the cold weather. It’s a clever concept and I’d like to see more storybooks taking advantage of this kind of content possibilities with smart devices. There are lots of little interactive bits for small fingers to find and every few pages there is a brief video clip embedded in the story. After enjoying the storybook, there is also a game where kids can find the changes made to five of the story’s pictures. My biggest complaint about the app is the lack of volume or a mute control for the background music. There are also links on the homepage for social media (Facebook and email) that can take young children out of the app and frustrate their experience. Overall, it is a worthy storybook that teaches a good lesson about listening to others and thinking about safety first when it comes to recreational activities. Mousey Howsee is available for free at the App Store with in-app purchase for full content. Rated for ages 4 and up.

Alpo Finds Alma by Jukka Lemmetty is one of the latest titles developed by Tapisodes. In this latest adventure for Alpo, he gets hurt and his friend, Jimmy, takes him around to various animals at the zoo to try and get some help. Sean Connelly expertly narrates the story and conjures up delightful character voices. I really enjoy the quality that Tapisodes puts into their apps and that everything is kid friendly. For starters, there are no links on the homepage, though if you look carefully, you can find a hidden map detailing Alpo and Alma’s adventure. Personally, I would like to see text highlighting when the story is being narrated for a child, but for now, Alpo lacks that function. Alpo Finds Alma is available at the App Store or for Android for $2.99 and is rated 4+. I highly recommend anything else Tapisodes has made too.
 

For older children, The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen and illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger is a must-have storybook. It is no surprise that it won the Silver Medal 2011 Parent’s Choice Award. Once again, the publishing powerhouse Auryn has created another winner. The illustrations are beautiful, but the use of a touch feature that creates the movement of water when interacting with the screen makes the images really come alive; even the text appears to be submerged in water. This is the classic tale from Hans Christian Anderson, so there is no softening of the story and at times the text is rather graphic in the portrayal of violence, compared to modern children’s tales, so parents should definitely read through it once before handing it over to junior to make sure it is appropriate for little ones (my daughter would have to skip the last third of the story). Still, for those tired of the Disneyfication of classic tales (guilty), this is a great interpretation of the original. Auryn has also made the story available in a Mandarin version here for $0.99. You can download the lite version of The Little Mermaid at the App Store here for free to try it out before you purchase. I’d rate this one 5 and up.
 

Another great tale from Auryn is Miko, Mom, Wake Up and Play! by Brigitte Weninger and Stephanie Roehe. This is one of a series of Miko books, six in all, which are now available in app form thanks to Auryn. Auryn is always looking at ways to differentiate themselves from other developers and with the Miko stories, you not only can create your own recordings of the text, but parents and kids can also completely rewrite the text too. With straightforward, easy to use controls accessed from the title page, you can create a whole new story to the delight (or disappointment in my case) of your child. For those not familiar with the tale, Miko is a little mouse who awakes early and must occupy himself until his mom wakes up. It is a familiar experience for most parents, though in our home, Reina is not apt to let us sleep like Miko does for his mom. In this storybook, and all the other Miko titles, when you touch an item in the story, the name of it appears and is pronounced by the child narrator. There are no external links on the home page. Miko is available from the App Store for $0.99 and I think it is suitable for any age.
 

Our final story is Sarah, the Little Fairy: Grandma Gets Lost written by Marga M. Garriga, illustrated by Vanessa Linares, and developed by Sanoen. In this story, Sarah and her family are preparing their home for Grandma to come live with them. Her grandma has Alzheimer’s disease, so the family works hard to make the environment safe and comfortable for Grandma. All goes well until one day, Grandma cannot be found anywhere and they all must try to find her. Along the way, the story illustrates how Alzheimer’s damages the brain’s memory and Sarah realizes where her grandmother must be. Readers can choose between English, Spanish, French, German and Catalan. On the title page there are external links to Facebook, Twitter, and Email, so that can be a problem for smaller kids. There are easy-to-use controls at the bottom of each page to turn the background music and/or narration on and off (thank you very much), a link to the home page, and a clever twist on the standard memory game using the sound of musical instruments rather than pictures. At the end of the story, there is even a brief quiz to test readers’ memory of the information they have learned. Sarah, the Little Fairy: Grandma Gets Lost is available at the App Store and for the Kindle for $2.99 and is rated by the publisher for ages to 5-9.