Neale S Godfreys Ultimate Kids Money Book [Hardcover]

Neale S. Godfrey (Author), Randy Verougstraete (Illustrator)

Book Description

Money-- you know all about it. Or do you?

Is credit always a good idea?

How risky are various investments?

Do you know where stones that are twelve feet across and weigh more than 500 pounds are used as money?

How do banks keep track of everyone's money?

In this comprehensive guide, renowned financial expert Neale S. Godfrey reveals everything you need to know about money, including how to earn it, save it, spend it, and share it. In an engaging text, filled with energetic illustrations, photographs, charts, and diagrams, she provides a history of money, as well as a look at currency throughout the world. She also explains such topics as credit, checks, and electronic banking-- and relates them all to a young reader's world.

From a piggy bank to the Federal Reserve Bank, Neale S. Godfrey makes you think about money in a whole new way.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A cheerful approach to all things financial plus playful photo collages and colorful drawings make up this fact-filled compendium of everything kids could possibly need to know about money--and more. Neale S. Godfrey, a nationally recognized expert on kids and money, and illustrator Randy Verougstraete tell the story of money--from bartering to investing--with animated appeal. Each subject receives careful and lively attention: the history of money; earning, saving, and spending money; banking facts and bank account information; credit card explanations and warnings ("It's In-credit-ible!"); information about America's economic structure and the government's economic role; taxes; the laws of supply and demand; inflation and depression; and stocks and bonds. Fun financial trivia is interspersed throughout, and word problems and matching games complete each of the nine chapters.

Godfrey does a fine job of covering complicated concepts, successfully tying her explanations with kids' everyday experiences (for example, creating a business plan for a dog-walking service). Kids will enjoy learning about finances with this easy-to-digest format, and grown-ups may be surprised to learn a thing or two as well. This book is about as far from dull gray, boring, banking as it gets. (Ages 8 to 12) --Ericka Lutz

From Publishers Weekly

Godfrey (Money Doesn't Grow on Trees), a syndicated columnist and former president of The First Women's Bank, appears to know kids as well as she knows finance. Rather than delving into detail in any area, her chatty, pun- and trivia-filled narrative touches on a broad range of topics: the history of money, budgeting, banking accounts, credit cards, supply and demand, starting a business, taxes, the stock market and other investment choices. Information is presented in brief, easily absorbed blocks of text, surrounded by extended captions, comments from characters, etc. Numerous sidebars include some with recurring themes. Under the heading "Word Bank," for example, Godfrey defines finance-related vocabulary (promissory note, entrepreneur); under "A Penny for Your Thoughts," she challenges readers to consider various money matters ("Would you rather buy stocks or keep your money in a savings account?"); and under "Take Your Pick," she offers some speculative questions and math puzzlers. On occasion, Godfrey stretches the idea of reader participation a bit thin (as when she asks readers to "imagine that you're a check" and to describe whom they meet and any trouble they encounter). Yet for the most part, Godfrey's light-handed approach?reinforced by Verougstraete's sometimes silly cartoon and collage art?is right on the money. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689817177
• ISBN-13: 978-0689817175
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book about money for ages 7 to 107., July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Neale S Godfreys Ultimate Kids Money Book (Hardcover)

A great book about money. A must if you are interested in stocks, bonds, credit, ATMs, mutual funds, the history of money or money in general. For ages 7-107, making it great for school, while humorous cartoons make it fun to read. Ideas for thought, and projects for the family. Crisp, clear writing makes it easy to understand, whle Word Banks is mini glossary. Makes a great gift!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very educational!, February 22, 2001

By 

D.McConnell (Newnan Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Neale S Godfreys Ultimate Kids Money Book (Hardcover)

The colorful pictures and easy to read diagrams make this a captivating book. Godfrey covers it all - from the history of money, government and taxes, credit and it's pitfalls to investing. Because the pictures tell so much of the story even young children will gain insights about money. This book should be a must read for all middle school students; it's a comprehensive lesson in civics that answers the questions "What are taxes?" and "How are your taxes spent?" in a way children can relate to.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book on money for children, December 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Neale S Godfreys Ultimate Kids Money Book (Hardcover)

(...)This book is just full of ideas, concepts, drawings, etc. all presented in a simple, colourful manner. This book would make a great gift for a child, to help them understand money concepts. The author has written some other great books on money and children, for adults to read.