Hillary's Big Business Adventure (The Adventures of Hillary) [Hardcover]

Lori Nelson (Author), Jerry Craft (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: The Adventures of Hillary | Publication Date: January 23, 2008

Hillary is a 5th-grader from Baltimore, Maryland who lives with her mother, father and younger brother Chef. Her best friend Zoe, along with Chef's best friend, Tek make up this lively foursome. While each of the children have something special that they bring to the group; Chef's interest in the culinary arts, Zoe's love for theater and dance, and Tek's need for high tech gadgets, it is Hillary's talent for all things entrepreneurial that steals the show in this first book. The first of this series highlights a young girl's ability to create a business opportunity that enables her to earn the funds she needs to purchase a new bicycle. Her spunky attitude and great determination leaves the young reader excited to see what Hillary and her crew come up with next, and if they achieve their goal. At the end of the story, there is a lessons learned section, which features new vocabulary terms and a fun team project for children to work on with their parents, or at school with their teachers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Absolutely FABULOUS!!! The book is the BEST children's book I have ever seen. The colors, the artwork, the story, the glossary and recipes...the book had it all. --Ryan C. Greene, Author of My Little Black Book of Leadership

I think (the book) would entice children to create their own business. --A. Pearson, Kindergarten Teacher at Owings Mills Elementary School

I think (the) book is a strong testament to what (kids) can learn about everyday life and growing up in a rapidly changing world. --Michael T. Lyle, Jr., Reporter for Quinnipiac University s 1220 AM WQUN Radio

I think (the) book is a strong testament to what (kids) can learn about everyday life and growing up in a rapidly changing world. --Michael T. Lyle, Jr., Reporter for Quinnipiac University s 1220 AM WQUN Radio

I think (the book) would entice children to create their own business. --A. Pearson, Kindergarten Teacher at Owings Mills Elementary School

About the Author

Lori Nelson is the President and Founder of Nelson Publishing, LLC, an independent publishing company dedicated to providing juvenile books for children of color. She makes her picture book debut with Hillary s BIG Business Adventure. While in graduate school, Nelson worked as an elementary substitute teacher in Maryland. It was during this time that she realized her desire to reach African-American youth. Shortly after, she discovered that entertaining and educational literature would be her vehicle for empowering them, and thus hopefully strengthen families. She enjoys portraying young children of color as lead characters experiencing and successfully overcoming conflict and the challenges of being young in today s not so kid-friendly society. Hillary s Big Business Adventure is the first in a series to introduce elementary-aged children, to basic business and financial concepts. The main character Hillary is a precocious young girl from Baltimore, Maryland with a can-do attitude and big dreams, even though she s only in the 5th grade. She s on a quest to create a business opportunity that will help her earn the money that she needs to purchase a new bicycle. Award-winning cartoonist, Jerry Craft does an amazing job illustrating these animated kidpreneurs. There are little Hillarys everywhere that will connect with this character. I was a Hillary. I can remember being as young as 8 years-old creating inventory and selling product (usually hand-decorated pencils and book covers, or candy, etc.) to the other kids at school and in the neighborhood. During the summers, I would have yard sales just like Hillary. I didn t know at the time that I was demonstrating key business skills. To me, I was just making money! It s never too early to plant the seeds of success in our children. Teaching them about smart money habits, the Arts, the importance of education, etc. doesn t always have to sound like a lecture. Sometimes, it works best when they don t even realize that a lesson is being taught. - Nelson Hillary s Big Business Adventure was listed in the April 2008 issue of Baker & Taylor s Books for Growing Minds, and the book s concept is gaining the attention of school teachers across the United States. Tina Baum, 2nd grade teacher from Owings Mills Elementary School (Owings Mills, MD) says I liked that values such as teamwork, persistence and hard work were taught [in this book]. Cenetria Blocker, reading specialist for Arrowhead Elementary School (Upper Marlboro, MD) told the Gazette newspaper that Nelson s lessons are important because while students learn about money at any early age, they don t learn as much about saving. Nelson s national book tour has had great success. Columbia, SC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Miami, Hamden, CT, Washington, DC, and Baltimore (Nelson s hometown) are all a part of her the 2008 Book Tour. In August 2008, she was a finalist in a Nickelodeon spec script writing contest, which gave her the opportunity to meet with network executives in Los Angeles, CA. In September, she was added as one of the cast members for the Abundant Life Creative Services organization, a vibrant network of artists and speakers passionate about helping young people maximize their God-given potential. Nelson has appeared on ABC's Action News 6 (Philadelphia), WBAI 99.5 FM's The Wakeup Call Morning Show (New York City), and has been featured in the Gazette newspaper (Maryland). She received her B.B.A. from Howard University, and her M.S. from the University of Maryland University College. She is a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), The Independent Book Publishers Association, and the Small Publisher's Association of North America (SPAN).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Nelson Publishing, LLC (January 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979417104
• ISBN-13: 978-0979417108
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,891,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hillary's Big Business Adventure A Must Have Read for Children, March 14, 2008

By 

A. Good Book "A Good Book" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hillary's Big Business Adventure (The Adventures of Hillary) (Hardcover)

Being a business owner, I know how important it is to teach your children at the earliest age possible that they too have the choice of entrepreneurship and that at some point in their life they must work hard to get the things you want. This book is about a young girl named Hillary, she is only a 5th grader but she decides that she will do whatever it takes to get her dream bike. This is an awesome story and a must read for ally young children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FROM THE PUBLISHER, April 10, 2008

By 

Nelson Publishing, LLC (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hillary's Big Business Adventure (The Adventures of Hillary) (Hardcover)

"Hillary" Listed in the April 2008 Issue of Books for Growing Minds!

...and the reviews are in!!

"Absolutely FABULOUS!!! The book is the BEST children's book I have ever seen. The colors, the artwork, the story, the glossary and recipes...the book had it all."
Ryan Greene, Author of My Little Black Book of Leadership

"Being a business owner, I know how important it is to teach your children at the earliest age possible that they too have the choice of entrepreneurship and that at some point in their life they must work hard to get the things you want. This is an awesome story and a must read for all young children."
Julie Williamson, A Good Book Bookstore

"Why not show the inner-youth that success comes with hard work and determination, and that it's always imperative for one to follow their dreams! I think your book is a strong testament to what they can learn about everyday life and growing up in a rapidly changing world. "
Michael T. Lyle, Jr., Quinnipiac University Reporter/AM 1220 WQUN Radio

"I enjoyed the story. I think that students would especially like the book. The vocabulary section (is) a definite positive -- especially if used by teachers."
Julie Krivak, Kindergarten Teacher

"I enjoyed it! I liked the way the business adventure was presented. I think it would entice children to create their own business."
Anne Pearson, Elementary Teacher

"I liked that values such as teamwork, persistence, and hard work were taught."
Tina Baum, 2nd Grade Teacher