Money Madness

by David A. Adler, Edward Miller (Illustrator)

Overview

What's all this madness about money? Long ago, people traded rocks or sheep for the items they wanted, but rocks were heavy and sheep ran away. This beginning guide to economics will have readers thinking about the purpose, and not just the value, of money.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823422722
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	12/15/2009
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

David A. Adler taught math for eight years. In that time he learned many things from his students — including the fact that they thought fractions were hard. So he decided to prove that learning how to work with fractions is not only easy, but also fun! He lives with his family on Long Island. You can learn more about him at www. davidaadler.com.

Edward Miller loves to make concepts clear to kids and has demonstrated that in his previous nonfiction books. School Library Journal praised his Alphabeep: A Zipping, Zooming ABC by Debora Pearson as "stunningly illustrated." He lives in New York City. You can visit his website at www.edmiller.com.

Editorial Reviews

"A fine introduction to the subject."

"Useful as a starting point for units on money."

From the Publisher

If there is one thing that makes the dismal science a shade less dismal, it's money, as in currency. As Adler points out up front, "People want money because it can be used to buy things." Right, but as a thing in itself, it's pretty fascinating. Money as animals, rocks, feathers, salt, fishhooks and purple beads made from clamshells are all intriguing-including their drawbacks, like your money dying on you if it happens to be a donkey-as is Adler's elemental explanation of bartering and exchange and the gradual evolution of money from precious metal to artful paper to the woefully drab plastic and digital varieties. Adler is less successful trying to make sense of how money reflects value. He explains that when the cost of ice cream goes down a dollar may buy an extra scoop, but the author doesn't explore the circumstances that may cause this. Miller's flat, digital artwork is solid throughout, providing a cheery Uncle Sam as a guide with simple stylized images set to swaths of yeasty color, flowing easily with the narrative and surprisingly emotive. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews