If You Made a Million [Paperback]

David M. Schwartz (Author), Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1994 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

If You Made a Million

Have you ever wanted to make a million dollars? Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician is ready, willing, and able to explain the nuts and bolts -- as well as the mystery and wonder -- of earning money, investing it, accruing dividends and interest, and watching savings grow. Hey, you never know!

An ALA Notable Book A Horn Book Fanfare Selection A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Teachers' Choices Selection

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Author David M. Schwartz and illustrator Steven Kellogg, who teamed up for the jubilant How Much Is a Million, have returned to the subject of money in If You Made a Million. Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician and his team of cheerful kids (and their multitude of animal friends) wield dusters, brooms, plungers, shovels, and cement as they take on feeding fish, dusting ducks, painting pots, transplanting trees, building bridges, and babysitting ogres. For each job, they'll be paid an appropriate amount of money. But soon the questions arise--what does that much money look like, and how can it be spent, saved, or used to pay off a loan?

"One dollar is worth as much as FOUR QUARTERS or TEN DIMES or TWENTY NICKELS or ONE HUNDRED PENNIES," Marvelosissimo explains, and we witness all the coins, crowding the page. How many and how high a stack is $100 in pennies? Ten thousand of them, in a stack 50-feet high, teeter precariously near a phenomenal airport where the gates are reached via tightrope. Next, Marvelosissimo takes readers to the Bank--a huge edifice complete with red carpets, carved slogans ("Save" and "Be Wise"), and frog attendants--where he explains the concepts of interest and bank loans. Grown-up text brings up the rear of the book, providing additional information on banks, interest and compound interest, checking accounts, loans, and income tax. Throughout, Kellogg's illustrations--highly detailed with silly objects, people, and animals--will keep kids' attention, but the pictures never detract from Schwartz's message that "enjoying your work is more important than money," and "making money means making choices." (Ages 4 to 8) --Ericka Lutz --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Sophisticated mathematical and financial concepts are difficult to teach, yet most children are fascinated by money. In a savvy follow-up to How Much Is a Million? Schwartz and Kellogg have succeeded in presenting money in terms that correspond to how children think. In a funny, accessible way, the team explores relationships between accomplishing tasks and earning payment, saving and spending, and other concepts including interest, the relative value of various denominations, writing checks and even financing a mortgage. Kellogg's typically humorous ink and watercolor drawings will compound reader interest while wittily reinforcing and expanding ideas. An author's note recaps the facts, including a history of money and banking, checks, loans, income tax, and the volume of money vs. its value. Splendid fare. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (November 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688136346
• ISBN-13: 978-0688136345
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( K ) > Kellogg, Steven
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Reference & Nonfiction > Business & Money
  • #60 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Business & Money

More About the Author

With the same energy, humor and clarity found in his 50 books, David wows audiences at schools around the United States and beyond. David is an accomplished storyteller and a master at getting kids to think and have fun at the same time. His presentations lead children on entertaining and educational journeys that combine math, science, reading and writing. David also gives keynote presentations and workshops for educators at professional conferences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It teaches children about money., May 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: If You Made a Million (Hardcover)

The illlustrations are fun. The text talks about situations to which kids can relate. The book gives some good lessons about money and how to use it. Yet, the book never bogs down. Children find it interesting and fun.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If You Made A Million, April 1, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: If You Made a Million (Paperback)

I strongly think you should read this book because it is funny. It has a wizard that does magic and he helps kids learn how to save their money. You should extremely like this book because the kids make things and they get money. They also babysit a giant baby for one thousand dollars. A boy makes a bridge and they do their chores. They also do incredible things.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars WORST BOOK EVER, September 17, 2011

By 

aditya krishnan - See all my reviews

This review is from: If You Made a Million (Paperback)

My son absolutely hated this book, it taught very little & focused mainly on statistical nonsense. The book is also now outdated. He had to read this book for school, so there was no choice. I'm sure there are better books out there than this one such as Alexander, Who was Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst is 1000x better & funnier too. I think it's a little too advanced for a 4-5 yr old -- even a 6-7 yr old doesnt care about interest or a home mortgage. HORRIBLE!