Money for School Money for Toys

Gr 2—4—Salzmann successfully deposits practical math into the hands of young consumers with a winning combination of fun graphics, sassy dialogue, and easily understood information. Mason (School) and Olivia (Toys) have a bit of money from their parents, and the audience shares in their decision-making process as they choose how best to spend and save along the way to buy an item they really want. Charts and nuggets of text in bold colors explain how to organize money to count it more efficiently; to buy based on value; and how to add savings and subtract costs to determine the amount accumulating in a pudgy piggy bank. While Mason and Olivia make sound financial decisions, some peers do not, and this is followed by cheeky exchanges between the successful pair and their counterparts. The cartoon characters have overly large heads and amusing expressions. The books conclude with further advice on spending wisely. Covering a range of concepts from the basics of addition and subtraction to the life skill of financial prudence, these volumes are worthy additions.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR