Batter Splatter: Making a Budget

Gr 2-4–Cooking Club is no fun until Mr. Lopez becomes the new advisor. But a disastrous yet delicious meeting leaves the new pep rally banner covered in strawberry sauce. Best friends Lucy and Julian gather the members together to devise a way to raise money for a new banner and ensure Mr. Lopez remains their advisor. The kids settle on a bake sale—specifically, a doughnut sale. But when an unexpected obstacle comes up, the kids in Cooking Club may be out of luck! This early chapter book series is focused on teaching children about financial literacy, with a focus on budgeting. Some of the mathematical concepts and school experiences (such as pep rally) may skew older than the intended age group, but the lessons about friendship and working together are on target. Fans of series such as “J.D. the Kid Barber” by Akeem S. Roberts and J. Dillard, and “Zoey and Sassafras” by Asia Citro and Marion Lindsay will enjoy.