13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
How to use a checkbook?, June 30, 2002
This review is from: The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense (Paperback)
Stan and Jan should have left the topic of money management alone, especially considering they seem to have covered the subject quite well in the classic "Trouble With Money," published in 1983. Basically, this book tries to teach young children how to manage their money through the use of a checkbook and even includes sample checks for kids to write. Not a bad idea, I suppose, until you consider the fact that the kids who read this book are in first and second grade. Does that mean that we will be giving third and fourth graders credit cards in the near future? I hope not. To avoid any further cynicism, though, I urge parents to preview this book before purchasing, because it may not be what you first expect. The manuscript and drawings in "Dollars and Sense" are also decidedly second-rate. Instead, I highly recommend "The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money," for it is not only more sound and appropriate advice for the age level, but the the story and illustrations are also much more inspired.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not a bad idea!, December 29, 2005
This review is from: The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense (Paperback)
This book shows that brother and sister have no idea on how to save their money. Mama and Papa try just giving them their allowances to see how they would spend it instead of them just asking Papa for money all the time. Well, they gave it to them at the beginning of the week, at which time the cubs would make a mad dash to the store and spend the whole thing. They did that week after week until they decided that they needed more. So, Papa and Mama do increase their allowances, but instead of them running off and spending it, Mama gives them a checkbook which shows how much money they have. When they want something, they writea check for cash for Mama to cash and voila! They can buy their item.
What this book teaches is how to manage the money and actually see where it goes. I'm not sure the checkbook idea is a fantastic one, maybe more of a ledger system without the checks included would be better. Perhaps Mama should just keep their money in a type of bank and when the cubs want something, they could tell her how much it cost and actually see what they have left in their "accounts." That way, it's treated like a savings account instead of just a cash account. The main goal should be to teach kids to save their money, not spend it. But then that's another story...
I'm not sure that I really recommend this book or not. It's not a favorite in this house because it is quite "blah." It doesn't really enforce the money issue is a direct way, or so I think, but it is quite amusing to see the cubs' faces when they get their money for the week!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Money skills, July 18, 2011
This review is from: The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense (Paperback)
Good book to help your children learn how to save and spend money. Written in a way that younger children can appreciate.
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