Likable, clever, and inventive sixth-graders Rufus Mayflower and Kate Mackinstrey develop and sell toothpaste to become millionaires in just one year! This fun, breezy story includes many real-life mathematical problems which the characters must solve to succeed in their budding business.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Merrill's idealistic construct of how to succeed in business without really trying functions both as a light story and as an explication of free enterprise mechanics." Booklist, ALA
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Jean Merrill is the award-winning author of over thirty books for children, including The Superlative Horse, The Black Sheep, and the wellknown satirical novel The Pushcart War.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
SYNOPSIS: Rufus Mayflower is a kid with a great business sense and imagination. When he decides that toothpaste costs too much, he starts his own toothpaste making business with local kids. From his meager beginnings with re-used baby food jars up to a fully professional operation with stockholders and a tube-filling machine, he rakes in the cash and confounds the leaders of the pharmaceutical industry with his methods.
MY TAKE:
This book (purchased at a garage sale) became one of the books I re-read repeatedly throughout my youth. Besides being a great story about how a kid with imagination and ingenuity can outsmart even grownups (which I loved as a kid), it also teaches you to avoid sexism and racism without being "preachy" about it.
Growing up in a very rural area (there was literally only one black family in our high school), the fact that the book's genius is black was a positive idea for me to take in. Not only that, but Rufus Mayflower refuses to treat his best friend differently because she's white...or even a girl. (She's Kate McInstrey if I recall the name right..I'm writing from work and don't have my copy immediately handy).
The book also subtly teaches you a little about marketing, product costs and even "price wars". I probably learned more business ideas from this book than many classes at school.
As final proof of the lasting value of the book, I submit that I am now 34 years old, with my first child just born, and I intend to introduce the book to him when he's old enough. It's an "old" book that doesn't date for modern readers..after all, doesn't toothpaste still cost too much?
MY TAKE:
This book (purchased at a garage sale) became one of the books I re-read repeatedly throughout my youth. Besides being a great story about how a kid with imagination and ingenuity can outsmart even grownups (which I loved as a kid), it also teaches you to avoid sexism and racism without being "preachy" about it.
Growing up in a very rural area (there was literally only one black family in our high school), the fact that the book's genius is black was a positive idea for me to take in. Not only that, but Rufus Mayflower refuses to treat his best friend differently because she's white...or even a girl. (She's Kate McInstrey if I recall the name right..I'm writing from work and don't have my copy immediately handy).
The book also subtly teaches you a little about marketing, product costs and even "price wars". I probably learned more business ideas from this book than many classes at school.
As final proof of the lasting value of the book, I submit that I am now 34 years old, with my first child just born, and I intend to introduce the book to him when he's old enough. It's an "old" book that doesn't date for modern readers..after all, doesn't toothpaste still cost too much?
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book could be used to teach the whole content area of entrepreneurship! A black boy and a white girl, both sixth graders, make toothpaste from baking soda. From looking at their productive resources to getting a loan to issuing stock to a price war and collusion and exit opportunity, this story holds the attention of most preteen and early teen readers. lots of good vocabulary. math problems become real life problems to the main characters. very readable! i use this book with teachers as well as with my own elementary students.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Grant S.
Format:Paperback
I first read this book approximately twenty-five years ago when I was in grade school. It kindled a fire of entrepreneurship deep within me. I often thought about the book throughout the years but did not remember the title or the author. Recently, I ran across it on Amazon.com. Now, I am thirty-five years old and using it to fan that same flame that has been instilled in my children. My kids love this book as much as I do. I firmly believe this book should be required reading for every child. In addition to entrepreneurship, it also contains lessons of true friendship, anti-racism and business finance. Of all the books I have read throughout my life, this is number one on my list!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for young children
This book is about a boy who makes his own things. He tries to save money and not waste things that could be reused. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Crystal
5.0 out of 5 stars
easy to read
it was fun and then I got a little confused at the end but I had to re read to figure out what really happened
Published 7 months ago
5.0 out of 5 stars
Want to give a kid a quick education on how business works? Have them...
I have taught personal finance classes to kids for several years. One of my favorite books is "The Toothpaste Millionaire" by Jean Merrill. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Home Ec Heidi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining, Educational, and Humorous
If you're in search of a light, humorous read (with a little academic value thrown in) for that upcoming fishing trip with the kids, look no further than The Toothpaste... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Abigail Larsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfied Customer
My son enjoyed this book immensely! He had a group activity project that required him (and his group) to come up with their own business plan. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mark2Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars
I really loved it!
Just finished reading this with my 8 year old daughter... the title reflects her opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Read more
Published 20 months ago by nicole ellefson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have!
This book is a must have for all middle school teachers (4-8)! It is a multi-disciplinary unit filled with math, science, social studies, and many, many more activities. Read more
Published 23 months ago by skw42867
5.0 out of 5 stars
a parent's review -- utterly enjoyable
This has been a banner month for books at our house. We have read so many good ones. This one might be the very best. Read more
Published on April 20, 2011 by M. Heiss
1.0 out of 5 stars
Lesson time
My child was assigned this book which i guess was the best way to sell it in 2010. With all the choices in children's fiction available, why oh why in 2010 would anyone make them... Read more
Published on September 2, 2010 by Gmom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teach enterpreneurship to your kid
I read this (in hardcover) as an 11-year-old in the seemingly-forbidden halls of the local secondary school's library. Read more
Published on April 1, 2010 by Christa R
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