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Overview
This guide to basic economics will make readers think about the purpose, not just the value, of money.
What would we do without money? Long ago, people traded rocks or sheep for the items they wanted; but rocks are heavy and sheep run away, so today we have money.
Synopsis
This guide to basic economics will make readers think about the purpose, not just the value, of money.
What would we do without money? Long ago, people traded rocks or sheep for the items they wanted; but rocks are heavy and sheep run away, so today we have money.
Children's Literature
Former math teacher David Adler's new book takes children from the time "before money" and asks them to imagine a world without it. Throughout this brightly colored book, with its money-green backgrounds on nearly every page and paper-cut collage illustrations of a smiling Uncle Sam and others, the history of money as we know it is depicted . Trading, bartering, the use of animals as money, the uses of feathers, rocks, metals, paper money, and even digital money are described and the value and usefulness of each is debated. Foreign currencies are elaborately displayed on a two-page spread. Even basic economics is covered in the final pages with an explanation of the changing value of money when prices rise and fall. Adler states that with money you can buy things you want and things you need. Money Madness is a book parents and teachers can use to open discussions about money, in general, and needs vs. wants. Reviewer: Debra Lampert-Rudman
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Former math teacher David Adler's new book takes children from the time "before money" and asks them to imagine a world without it. Throughout this brightly colored book, with its money-green backgrounds on nearly every page and paper-cut collage illustrations of a smiling Uncle Sam and others, the history of money as we know it is depicted . Trading, bartering, the use of animals as money, the uses of feathers, rocks, metals, paper money, and even digital money are described and the value and usefulness of each is debated. Foreign currencies are elaborately displayed on a two-page spread. Even basic economics is covered in the final pages with an explanation of the changing value of money when prices rise and fall. Adler states that with money you can buy things you want and things you need. Money Madness is a book parents and teachers can use to open discussions about money, in general, and needs vs. wants. Reviewer: Debra Lampert-RudmanSchool Library Journal
K-Gr 3
Adler begins by asking young readers to imagine a world without money and the complications that would ensue. He then traces the history of our current monetary system, explaining early systems of bartering and the use of such things as rocks and feathers. Adler explains how the value of money fluctuates as prices go up and down and concludes with a discussion of digital money. One statement causes concern; the author states that "Checks and credit cards are money too, because they can be used to buy things." Regarding a credit card as money is irresponsible, and the two should not be equated. Miller's computer-generated illustrations are vibrantly colored if rather flat, but they do help to clarify and support some of the concepts and add some humor to the topic. The book will be useful as a starting point for units on money, but is otherwise an additional purchase.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ