From Publishers Weekly
Godfrey, former president of the First Women's Bank, founder of the First Children's Bank and author of Money Doesn't Grow on Trees, stresses that "What children don't know about money can hurt them." Through a variety of money games, as projected here, children can learn coin denominations, the value of common store items, how to make change (with the aid of a simple calculator) and, ultimately, the concept of "deferred gratification" and saving. Godfrey, writing with freelancer Richards, recommends family conferences on money matters, with chores viewed either as "family citizen" responsibilities or work-for-pay. The authors suggest "family banking" to fund family projects, a job-chart schedule for schoolchildren (weeding flower beds, emptying the cat litter) and parental strategies for wielding "management authority." Parents and their kids alike should have fun with this program and develop money sense into the bargain.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Godfrey believes that children can and must be taught to be responsible about using money, a subject she previously visited in Money Doesn't Grow on Trees: A Parent's Guide to Raising Financially Responsible Children (S. & S., 1994). Building on that book, she here outlines practical steps parents can take to encourage their children to learn about money. Why? "Understanding what money does is the first step in understanding what it doesn't do-the first step in teaching your children not to confuse self-worth with net worth." The book is divided into three sections-preschool, school-age, and teenager-and offers a wide range of suggestions, games, and exercises for parents and children to follow in each age category. There are particularly useful discussions of such topics as goal-setting, "need vs. want," saving, and sharing, all of which underlie teaching a concept of money that will stay with children their whole lives. Most important, Godfrey believes that learning "financial responsibility" is a cornerstone for learning how to be fair in all dealings with others. With all the complaints about the absence of family values in today's society, any book that teaches positive values is to be commended. An invaluable book for families; highly recommended for all public libraries.
Richard Drezen, Washington Post News Research Ctr., Washington, D.C.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.