Everything Kids Money: Earn It, Save It, and Watch It Grow

Everything Kids Money: Earn It, Save It, and Watch It Grow

book

2008

WISE
78%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A straightforward financial literacy primer that teaches kids the money basics—though some 2008-era tech references feel like ancient history now.

Amazon4.6
Common Sense Media

Where to Read

Amazon
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Libby
Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a solid, meat-and-potatoes financial literacy book that does exactly what it promises: teaches kids how money works. The core concepts—earning, saving, compound interest, basic investing—are timeless and genuinely useful.

The problem? It's from 2008, which in kid-tech years is basically the Jurassic period. References to 'online banking' as a novelty feel quaint when today's 10-year-olds are asking about cryptocurrency and Roblox economies. The book doesn't address digital wallets, peer-to-peer payment apps, or the gamified financial landscape kids actually inhabit.

That said, the fundamentals haven't changed. A dollar saved is still a dollar saved, whether it's in a piggy bank or a Greenlight card. The real-world scenarios (saving for a bike, starting a business) remain relatable, and the accessible writing makes potentially dry material engaging.

Use this as a jumping-off point for family money conversations, not a definitive guide. Read it together, then update the examples to reflect 2025 realities. The bones are good—they just need some modern flesh.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-12 who are ready to understand money beyond piggy banks. The reading level and concepts (stocks, credit cards, business basics) fit upper elementary kids who are starting to handle their own money. Younger kids (6-7) could engage with parent support, but the 152-page format and density may be challenging.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
82

Presents financial concepts in an age-appropriate, non-anxious way. Focuses on positive money behaviors (earning, saving, growing) rather than fear or scarcity. Uses relatable scenarios like saving for a bike or starting a small business that model healthy goal-setting and delayed gratification.

Imaginative
68

Covers practical money topics (allowances, bank accounts, stocks) with real-world examples, but the subject matter is inherently instructional rather than creative. The 2008 edition includes then-novel topics like online banking that would have sparked curiosity, though some content now feels dated. Encourages entrepreneurial thinking through small business examples.

Safe
95

Books about financial literacy for kids are inherently safe—no concerning content, no ads, no privacy issues. The material is straightforward educational content about money management. The only minor consideration is ensuring kids don't feel overwhelmed by financial concepts, but the accessible writing style mitigates this.

Enriching
85

Solid financial literacy foundation that builds practical life skills kids will actually use. Covers earning, saving, investing, and banking in digestible chunks. The 152-page format is manageable for independent reading. Real-world scenarios make abstract concepts concrete. Financial literacy is genuinely enriching—this is the kind of knowledge that compounds over a lifetime.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Covers the full money lifecycle: earning (allowances, small businesses), saving (bank accounts, interest), and investing (stocks)—practical skills that actually matter
  • Written at an accessible level for independent readers ages 8-12, with illustrations that support visual learners
  • Uses relatable scenarios (saving for a bike, starting a lemonade stand) that make abstract financial concepts concrete
  • Includes updated material on online banking and account opening that was cutting-edge for 2008
  • Part of the Everything Kids series, which has a proven track record of making educational topics digestible
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What to Watch For

  • Published in 2008, so references to 'online banking' and technology feel dated—kids today live in a Venmo/Cash App/crypto world this book doesn't address
  • Dense information packed into 152 pages means younger readers (under 8) will likely need adult guidance to digest concepts like credit cards and stock investing
  • Works best as a conversation starter rather than a complete financial education—parents should be ready to supplement with current examples

Conversation Starters

  • ""The book talks about saving for something you really want. What's something you'd like to save up for?""
  • ""If you could start any small business, what would you do? How much would you charge?""
  • ""The book explains interest—money that grows just by sitting in a bank. Want to see how much interest our savings account earned this month?""
  • ""What's one way you could earn money this week? Should we add it to your savings or spend it on something fun?""

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