Stories to teach kids the value of a dollar

Teaching kids about money doesn't have to be boring. A lifetime of good spending habits starts with parents instilling in their children that earning money, spending wisely and saving are the best ways to manage money. These three books are charming and engaging, ideal for tackling a tough topic in easy-to-understand (and funny) lessons.

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

This book features great, funny pictures and an even better story to teach children a lesson in frugality and saving. Children will love hearing about Alexander's money problems. He becomes jealous of his brothers who have money while he has none. When his grandparents come for a visit, all the children get a dollar. Alexander spends some here and there; he buys some gum, rents a snake and places bets against his brothers. A week later, all Alexander has to show for his money is some bus tokens. The book teaches kids how to count money (or how to subtract it, really) and gives a lesson in regretful spending and the importance of self-restraint.

Little Critter: Just Saving My Money

Just Saving My Money teaches kids the importance of saving toward a goal. Little Critter asks his parents for a skateboard, but instead of buying one for him, he is told that he must save up for it. As Little Critter feeds the dog and sells lemonade, he begins to understand the value of a dollar. He learns an important lesson about how hard money is to acquire and how fun saving can be.

The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money

In this cute story, Brother and Sister want to earn money to spend on playing a video game. As they earn their money, they learn about overspending and try to find a balance between spending and saving. This book teaches basic concepts of money management and introduces concepts like 'nest egg' and 'interest' in simple terms.

What are your favorite children's books about money? Share your suggestions in the comments.

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