Want to raise money-savvy kids? We’ve rounded up the best money books for kids to help you guide them into early financial literacy! Introducing money and its principles as early as possible can help tremendously ensure your kids have a bright financial future. So keep reading to learn more about the benefits of finance books for kids and our top picks!
Table of contents
- Benefits of reading children’s books about money
- 21 Of the best finance books for kids
- Expert Tip: Earlier is better when it comes to teaching kids about money
- Why read money books for kids?
- How do I teach my child about money?
- What is the best book for learning money?
- What is basic financial literacy for kids?
- Related articles on financial literacy for kids
- Raise financially savvy children with the best money books for kids!
Understanding money principles is the first step before children can put those principles into practice. We also know that repetition is the best way to learn. So, adding short stories about money to your child’s book rotation is a fantastic way to get them interested in the topic.
Here are some of the benefits of money books for kids!
Benefits of reading children’s books about money
“Children see, children do.” Have you heard this before? It’s true, though, isn’t it?
Sometimes, our children copying us is just something that seems funny. However, the more our children copy us, the more habits they acquire.
For instance, children can mimic the way we speak and walk. They can also learn from our money habits.
Your children will notice if you’re calmer and more relaxed with your money. But if your kids have seen or heard you worry about money, you might need countermeasures such as introducing more positive interactions with money.
Taking time to explain simple things like paying for groceries is a good start. Then, you can drive the lessons home by teaching your kids about budgeting through some finance books for kids.
Likewise, reading more children’s books about money is a great way to bond with your child and can provide additional benefits.
Creates a healthy relationship with money from an early age
Many adults have unhealthy relationships with money. They might think that money is evil. Some adults overspend money because they don’t want to manage it. However, by introducing the concept of money through fun characters in financial literacy books for kids, children can start to develop a healthy relationship with money.
Books help introduce money as a positive tool that can be used to better their lives.
Children can learn about money in an enjoyable and relatable way
In the eyes of children, money may seem like an adult thing. After all, the parents go to the grocery store to buy food. Children see their adults going to work every day to make money, which is something children don’t have to do.
Because of their limited interactions with money, books make the concept of money relatable. Children learn that they, too, can earn, save, and use money.
Crucial money and life skills can be learned in a fun way
Many children’s books simplify money concepts such as budgeting, saving, and investing. So, if you find yourself overwhelmed when explaining these topics, books can help.
Financial books for kids can also teach children crucial life skills such as delayed gratification, patience, and setting goals for the future.
21 Of the best finance books for kids
Let’s get into our best money books for kids that are sure to inspire and motivate your kids to build a solid financial foundation! You can click the images to learn more about each book.
Note: These best money books for kids are linked via affiliate links that help us grow Clever Girl Finance! Please see our disclosures for more information.
1. Investing for Kids: How to Save, Invest And Grow Money by Dylin Redling And Allison Tom
Raising money-savvy kids is easier with books like “Investing for Kids“. It gives kids ages 8 to 12 a jump-start on the basics of how money works, such as how to earn it and how to start a savings plan. All of these help children look forward to a future with money in the bank.
The Dollar Duo, Dylin Redling, and Allison Tom also cover essential and engaging information on kids investing and how to make money grow to build wealth. In addition, the book delivers interactive activities and discussions that children of all ages will enjoy about investing.
2. Finance 101 For Kids: Money Lessons Children Cannot Afford To Miss by Walter Andal
Walter Andal was frustrated with the lack of personal finance resources that his children could learn from, so he wrote one. The book “Finance 101 for Kids” is exactly what it sounds like.
It’s one of the most informative and entertaining money books for kids to help them understand how money works. The book will help them build a solid foundation for handling money. It even teaches the importance of giving back to the community.
3. How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000: Earn! Save! Invest! by James McKenna, Jeannine Glista, et al.
How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000 is a thorough introduction to finance for kids ages 10 to 12. It also includes many helpful tips on setting financial goals, investing wisely, and starting a business.
The book also emphasizes saving with the added bonus of teaching your kids to think like a millionaire. I love that it clearly states that millionaires do not spend a million dollars but know how to keep a million dollars.
Young readers will enjoy the inspiring stories of how different people became millionaires. In addition, the graphics and the layout are fantastic. They make the book easy to read and help keep the young people’s attention.
There are so many reasons why we included this book in this list of the best finance books for kids.
4. A Smart Girl’s Guide: Money (Revised): How to Make It, Save It, and Spend It (Smart Girl’s Guides) by Nancy Holyoke and Brigette Barrager
Introducing books written from your child’s perspective, like A Smart Girl’s Guide, is a great way to get them interested in money. In this read, Nancy Holyoke and Brigette Barrager teach girls money management in an easy and fun way.
The book has quizzes, tips, and helpful quotes from other girls that will delight and inspire your middle schooler.
5. Money Ninja: A Children’s Book About Saving, Investing, and Donating (Ninja Life Hacks) by Mary Nhin
The Money Ninja book is part of the Ninja Life Hacks books series geared to kids ages 3 to 11. It teaches children essential life skills through stories with colorful illustrations and adorable characters.
Read it with your toddlers and young children. It’s an excellent way to introduce the concepts of earning money, saving, and giving. All of which promote a growth mindset.
6. Grandpa’s Fortune Fables: Fun Stories to Teach Kids About Money by Will Rainey
Use Grandpa’s Fortune Fables to bond with your kids over fun and short stories about money. It features Gail, a 13-year-old girl, who shares her Grandpa’s adventures to a faraway island. Each chapter is a money lesson to help kids discover how to manage money.
Will Rainey does an excellent job of introducing financial concepts in an easy-to-digest format. The book is easy to read and provides action steps for your kids to take.
Reading and discussing the lessons is a fantastic way to teach your kids about money early on. That’s why we added this book to our list of the best finance books for kids.
7. Kid’s Activity Book on Money and Finance: Teach Children About Saving, Borrowing, and Planning for the Future—40+ Quizzes, Puzzles, and Activities by Allan Kunigis
Children are sponges who soak up every bit of what goes on around them. As parents, we can nurture that thirst for knowledge with awesome books like Kid’s Activity Book on Money and Finance.
Your child can learn about money through engaging activities like word searches, crossword puzzles, rhymes, quizzes, and other games.
The activities introduce children to the principles of money. Even if it only prompts them to ask questions, that’s a good starting point to lay the foundation of financial literacy.
8. What is Money?: Personal Finance for Kids by Kelly Lee
In a world where kids often don’t see us paying for things, it’s even more important to introduce the concept as early as possible.
“What Is Money?” is an excellent book to read to your toddler.
It has short stories about money, drawings, simple language, and colorful pages, everything that’s age-appropriate for your toddler.
The book contains a series of questions with straightforward explanations and examples. This is one of the children’s books about money that gets our vote. Your kids will love to read it over and over again.
9. Investing for Teens: How To Invest and Grow Your Money! by Alex Higgs
Investing is a loud space right now, especially on social media. It seems everyone is an expert, but they’re all saying different things. So, help your teen get the right advice and helpful information with one of the best money books for kids.
The book Investing for Teens is geared towards young adults, ages 13 to 18, as a step-by-step guide on building a solid foundation for their future. It covers a multitude of topics to help them manage and grow their money and set themselves up for financial independence.
10. The Everything Kids’ Money Book: Earn it, Save it, and Watch it Grow! by Brette Sember
Help your children comprehend the value of money and become financially responsible adults with The Everything Kids’ Money Book.
Your kids will learn about the basics of money, such as how bills and coins are made and what they can buy.
Brette Sember also discusses how kids can earn, save, and invest money. Most importantly, it’s one of the children’s books about money that tackles the ins and outs of financial technology – a must for kids growing up in a digital era.
11. Heads Up Money by Marcus Weeks
The Heads Up Money book covers complicated financial and economic topics, including supply and demand, investing, and market trends. It answers inquiries like, “What would happen if the bank simply prints more money?”
Even though the topics are complex, the author presents them in a dynamic, fun, and easy-to-follow format geared toward kids in grades 5-12.
12. I Want More Pizza: Real World Money Skills For High School, College, And Beyond by Steve Burkholder
I Want More Pizza is a perfect mini-book for teens who are not big readers. Even though it’s short, this book still packs a punch.
It uses the pizza model to break down barriers around young adults’ hesitation to learn about money management.
If your kid is a teenager, you know how hard it is to get them interested in something.
So, get them a book about pizza that teaches them about saving, spending, goal setting, how to invest, and taking real-world action.
13. Kyng & Kyren’s Generational Wealth Building Activity Book by Kyren Gibson
When Kyren became a dad, he decided to change his life. He wanted to leave a legacy for his son, Kyng. Thus began his journey of learning how to build generational wealth.
He wrote Kyng & Kyren’s Generational Wealth Building Activity Book to help educate his community on the fundamental blocks of finances. And he makes learning fun, engaging, and motivating.
14. More Money, Please: The Financial Secrets You Never Learned in School by Scott Gamm
More Money, Please is a personal finance crash course ideal for high-schoolers, college students, and recent grads. It is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand introduction to money management.
It walks readers through the best budgeting practices, paying for college without getting into debt, and saving for retirement early.
In this book, Scott Gamm also discusses why having a credit card can be good and how to use technology and smartphones to pay bills on time.
15. Money Matters Made Easy: A Guide to Financial Literacy for Kids by Terence Hover
Is your kid a young entrepreneur at heart? What better way to nurture their business ideas than with a book about financial literacy?
Written for children ages 11 to 14, “Money Matters Made Easy: A Guide to Financial Literacy for Kids” helps children set a solid financial foundation for a brighter future.
It is a book that empowers children to make smart financial decisions and helps them avoid financial mistakes. It also teaches them how to budget, save, and give back. Terence Hover helps young readers achieve financial success.
16. Reach for the Stars: Introduce Basic Financial Concepts While Empowering Kids to Think Big! By Michele Cho-Dorado and Kaori Hamura-Long
The book tells a relatable story about a girl named Mimi who wants to buy something but doesn’t have the means to do so. Instead of giving up, Mimi comes up with an idea to start a business and earn the money she needs.
An ideal book for children ages 3 to 10, Mimi’s story in Reach for the Stars is an excellent example of not only earning your own money but also the importance of giving back.
It is also a great book to inspire children to set goals and turn their ideas into something more.
17. Investing for Kids: From Piggy Banks to Portfolios – A Fun Guide to Financial Literacy for Ages 8 to 12 by Freeman Publications and Natalia Berezina
Investing for Kids takes young readers through various aspects of money. In this book, children will learn the basics of budgeting for wants and needs.
Additionally, they’ll learn about more complex financial topics, such as credit cards and interest rates.
Freeman Publications and Natalie Berezina created a book that empowers children to be investors and entrepreneurs. The book also gives the history of money and shows how money is used all around the world.
18. Black Wealth: Teaching Your Child Financial Literacy – Practical Activities You Can Do at Home to Set Your Kids Up for Financial Success by Dr. S Bowe
The concept of wealth can be a big idea to grasp. However, the earlier children learn about it, the better their chances of obtaining it.
Black Wealth introduces practical activities that you can use to teach your children how to be financially literate.
If you’re determined to break the cycle of generational poverty and start building generational wealth with your children, this book is for you.
19. Three Little Piggy Banks: Financial Literacy for Children by Pamela Georg, illustrated by Meredith Luce
Three Litte Piggy Banks is a helpful book that teaches valuable lessons about money while also teaching children essential life skills.
The story is based on two twins, Andy and Ella, and is ideal for siblings. Rather than buying the twins what they wanted for their 5th birthday, their parents gave them three piggy banks.
Needless to say, the twins were shocked that they wouldn’t receive the camera and bike they wanted. However, they quickly learn that money has more value than simply spending.
As the story unfolds, the twins learn how a piggy bank can be the key to getting what they want and more.
20. Think Like a Boss – Kids Edition: 47 Money Making Ideas for Young Entrepreneurs, Earn Key Skills for Future Job Success in the Workplace or in Business. Helping Kids Learn Money Management Early by Miss Jemma Roedel
Back in your day, you probably had a handful of ways to make money. Perhaps you had a lemonade stand, mowed lawns, or babysat. If you’re looking for a way to encourage your child to make their own money, as you did, then Think Like a Boss: Kids Edition is the book you must own.
With 47 fun ways for children to earn money and tips on managing it, your child can be on their way to being a millionaire. Yes, children can be millionaires, too.
The great thing about this book is that these job ideas don’t require your child to have a particular skill or talent. Anyone can use these money-making ideas.
21. Money Plan by Monica Eaton, illustrated by Anastasia Cartovenco
What makes the book Money Plan so fun is that it’s written in rhyming verse. It’s a story of Mia and her mom and their Saturday morning trips to the grocery store.
The story introduces the concept of money management in a fun and enjoyable way.
Expert Tip: Earlier is better when it comes to teaching kids about money
Many parents question which age they should start talking to their children about money. The simple answer to this question is the earlier, the better. By age three, children can recognize different coins and understand that money is used to buy different items. And so, to foster their understanding, it’s helpful to communicate money concepts in a fun and relatable way.
Additionally, if you want to introduce your children to financial literacy books, it’s best to start incorporating them in your daily routines. For instance, if you usually read bedtime stories, that is an excellent opportunity to swap out a fairytale for a finance story.
You can also support your children’s learning by asking them about what they’ve read in your finance books during dinner. Talking about the concepts your kids read about in their money books will reinforce their learning.
Why read money books for kids?
Money books for kids can help children learn about finances, people, and events outside their own experiences. As a result, it exposes them to new ways of life, ideas, and beliefs about the world.
Children’s books about money are a great way to teach young kids that they can create something different and better than what they currently know.
Additionally, these books provide more reliable information to older kids and teenagers. Especially since, teens today receive an overwhelming amount of financial advice from online platforms. Unfortunately, not all of this advice is trustworthy.
Lastly, as adults, most of us worry so much about money. As a result, finances can be a charged subject when we bring it up with our children. Often, we color our conversations around money with our own difficult experiences, money stories, and biases. And it turns our children off from listening, let alone learning. That’s why handing your kids a money book is sometimes a better idea.
How do I teach my child about money?
A simple way to teach your children about money is by talking through processes that involve money. When you go to the grocery store, start mentioning the prices of different items. You can also incorporate giving children an allowance.
However, to give your children a well-rounded view of money, it’s a good idea to leverage financial literacy books for kids. Books offer fun storylines and characters that can help children digest the concept of money.
Lastly, remember to model healthy money habits for your children. Staying within your budget, having positive conversations about money, and setting money goals are also ways to set positive examples.
What is the best book for learning money?
The best book for learning money can depend on your financial needs. However, some of the best books will cover the basics of financial literacy, earning and budgeting money, investing and saving money, and include tips on avoiding or paying off debt.
Bestselling finance books include practical tips, inspiring stories, and useful information.
Some bestsellers include “I’ll Teach You How to Be Rich,” “Clever Girl Finance-Ditch Debt, Save Money & Build Real Wealth,” and “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.”
What is basic financial literacy for kids?
Financial literacy for kids can be simple. It starts with understanding where money comes from and how to use it responsibly.
Financial literacy books for kids will teach them how to earn money, how to budget or manage money, how to save money, and how to invest.
When kids understand how to earn, use, save, and invest money, they are more likely to grow into adults who understand how to obtain financial success.
Related articles on financial literacy for kids
If you enjoyed this article on financial literacy books for kids, check out this related content!
Raise financially savvy children with the best money books for kids!
Many of us got to adulthood without any money management skills. With proper skills, we can avoid numerous financial problems.
We weren’t better equipped because most of our parents didn’t have any knowledge to pass on.
Furthermore, much of the money advice that worked then doesn’t work now. And it probably won’t apply to the world our kids will grow up in.
So, let’s do better for our kids. Start financial conversations early by reading more children’s books about money. Get them interested in exploring financial literacy with the help of the money books for kids in this list.
To keep learning, see the other Clever Girl Finance articles about financial wellness and how kids can make money!