A Penny's Worth

by Kimberly Wilson, Mark Hoffmann (Illustrator)

Overview

Pennies, worthless? Non-cents!

Hot off the minting press, Penny feels like a million bucks. But as other coins and bills are spent while she sits forgotten, she begins to doubt her value. She is too small to slot-surf with Quarter. Even penny candy sells for a dime! Refusing to be short-changed, she sets out to find her purpose at any cost.

Readers will laugh at a wealth of money puns, learn a basic lesson on US currency, and discover that self-worth is truly priceless.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645674689
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	04/19/2022
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kimberly Wilson is a children’s author who is always on the lookout for lucky pennies and believes wishes do come true. She studied creative writing in college and has since taken countless workshops/classes/webinars/etc. to improve her craft. Kimberly lives in North Carolina with her husband and their two daughters. This is her debut picture book.

Mark Hoffmann is a college professor as well as a children’s book illustrator. He has a BFA in illustration from RISD and an MFA in visual design from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Mark has written and/or illustrated many children’s books, including Dirt Cheap (Penguin Random House). He lives in Salem, New Hampshire.

Editorial Reviews

"A perfect opportunity to discuss the difference between mere purchasing power and real value." — Booklist

“Filled with clever and chucklesome wordplay, Wilson’s spry narrative is engaging but also educational, providing a solid, accessible introduction to basic money equivalents.” — Kirkus Reviews

"Highly appropriate for mathematics lessons, this tale will make children chuckle while teaching them about coins and dollar bills [...] A lighthearted introduction to the monetary and sentimental value of American currency, with a subtext on the hidden value of less measurable sums." — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

05/01/2022

K-Gr 2—Freshly stamped at the mint, Penny is feeling fantastic—like a million bucks in fact! Unfortunately, Penny is about to find out that nobody really needs shiny, new pennies anymore. Not like Big Bill the cowboy-hat-wearing dollar, who is in high demand, or the cool dude quarter who surfs the arcade machines. Even the scholarly dime can buy penny candy. Penny and the dejected, grumpy nickel aren't sure where they fit in. Penny, however, isn't ready to give up looking for purpose. Finally, Penny finds her place as good luck! A child finds Penny and makes a wish at the fountain, showing that her value is much greater than just one cent. Highly appropriate for mathematics lessons, this tale will make children chuckle while teaching them about coins and dollar bills. The illustrations are colorful and bright, especially the coppery pennies. The anthropomorphic characters are cute and perfectly accompany the humorous, pun-filled text. Back matter includes some penny fun facts, such as that pennies cost more to mint than they are actually worth. VERDICT A lighthearted introduction to the monetary and sentimental value of American currency, with a subtext on the hidden value of less measurable sums.—Alyssa Annico

School Library Journal

2021-12-27
A newly minted penny searches for meaning.

“Hot off the minting press, Penny sparkled,” the story begins, but her initial gusto turns to sorrow when it becomes clear that the world only sees her as a lowly cent, fit to be ignored. As she is jostled about by the tide of circumstance, she meets various coins and types of paper who enlighten her on the ways of the world. Sticking out of an open purse, Bill Bill, a $1 note cowpoke, cautions her that “it takes a hundred of you to do what I do.” In a video game arcade, Quarter coolly explains that “slot surfin’ is quarters-only. You’re twenty-four cents short.” In a sweet shop, donnish Dime subjects Penny to a cogent history lesson about inflation’s effects on so-called “penny candy.” Nickel, a morose street coin with beard stubble, turns down her offer to pair up. Penny hits a low point when she encounters an alarming newspaper headline: “THE GREAT PENNY DEBATE: ARE THEY WORTHLESS?” Thankfully, her fortunes shift upon meeting another penny who encourages her (“Heads up…we’re good luck when we put our best face forward!”) and leads her to the one place where she and her kind are truly valued. Filled with clever and chucklesome wordplay, Wilson’s spry narrative is engaging but also educational, providing a solid, accessible introduction to basic money equivalents. Hoffmann’s illustrations, rendered in acrylic, colored pencil, and pan pastel with digital touches, incorporate comicslike sound effects and nimbly extend the text with comedic touches.

Combining a dash of math with buckets of good humor, this book is certainly like money in the bank. (facts, author’s note, chart, bibliography) (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews