Money, Money, Money: The Meaning of the Art and Symbols on United States Paper Currency [Hardcover]

Nancy Winslow Parker (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

United States paper money has been called by a lot of different names over the years, and that's only a small part of its fascinating history. Do you know which three bills are the only ones with pictures of men who have not been president? Or what practically foolproof methods have been invented to thwart counterfeiters? Or how many $100,000 bills are actually in circulation? Answers to all these questions, along with funny and informative facts about the many people and objects whose pictures appear on our paper money, can be found in this entertaining and educational look at what is really in our wallets!

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5?Parker concentrates on paper money in its present form, giving brief but sprightly accounts of the people, buildings, and other symbols portrayed on U.S. currency, as well as descriptions of the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve System, and counterfeiting. The biographies are not hagiographic?the portrait of Jackson mentions his persecution of the Cherokees, and the sketch of Grant labels his administration "...one of the most corrupt and scandal-ridden in United States history." Each vignette includes an artful mix of useful and trivial facts that will appeal to the intended audience, as will the full-color cartoonlike illustrations. The diagram showing the various parts of a Federal Reserve note is particularly clear and helpful. In comparison, Betsy Maestro's The Story of Money (Clarion, 1993) and Joe Cribb's Money (Knopf, 1990) depict currency from a variety of countries and provide much more material on its development and use. Those titles have more informative illustrations, featuring a wider variety of people. For facts on money in general, Maestro's book will better serve the same age group, while Cribb's, part of the "Eyewitness" series, is for an older audience. But neither title equals Parker's depth of information about the symbols on modern U.S. currency.?Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds, WA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. There's a short course in American history in your wallet, and Parker brings it to life by explaining what's on the front and the back of U.S. paper currency, from $1 to $100,000. Parker provides original art on almost every page, along with a tiny photo reproduction of the currency under discussion. She greatly simplifies the facial features of the various presidents pictured but leaves their hair quite distinctive. Interesting facts about familiar individuals (Washington, Lincoln) as well as lesser-known ones (Salmon P. Chase) abound, and costumes, culture, and architecture all become Parker's subjects. She also seems well attuned to curious classroom questioners, as she includes, for instance, a section on counterfeiters. Not as narrow in focus as the title implies, this is an expansive review that will be great for history classes as well as useful to math and art students. Mary Harris Veeder

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (May 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060234113
• ISBN-13: 978-0060234119
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,486,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures, history lessons and basics of money!, June 21, 2001

By 

phdezra (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Money, Money, Money: The Meaning of the Art and Symbols on United States Paper Currency (Hardcover)

Want a simple book to help teach your kids abotu money? This is it. Features tidbits of history, colorful drawings and, of course, basic money topics. Kids and adults aliek will enjoy this one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars darn me for not having read the customer review before ordering, January 4, 2006

By 

J. Malnar (Zagreb Croatia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Money, Money, Money: The Meaning of the Art and Symbols on United States Paper Currency (Hardcover)

cuz had I read it and not just thrown the book in the cart at the sight of 5 stars, I would have KNOWN it was for kids. Rather disappointing for me, not having expected a kiddie book :(. But I mean KIDDIE. Will be more careful about my purchases in the future. Wouldnt know what to DO with this book if I didnt have a 3yr old son, who will be old enough for this book in a few years.