Distraught, Bear goes with Bull to visit a pearl-wearing pig named Piggy Banks, who shares her golden rule: “When you make a dollar, break a dollar—into spending, saving, investing, and giving too.” Piggy Banks explains how savings accounts generate interest, why investing money is important, and even how donating money to charity can bring “peace and clarity.” Following these straightforward guidelines, Bear is finally able to save up the money he needs to make his big purchase. Framing complex ideas in a simple way using fun, rhyming prose will help kids (and adults) understand how to take care of their money in a way that is both pragmatic and ambitious.
Carolina Buzio’s colorful illustrations make the characters appear friendly and approachable, showing Bear wearing striped pants and a tiny bowler hat while Bull has slicked-down hair and green, square-rimmed glasses. The pictures also include helpful diagrams, with one showing interest growing like a tree and another at the end helpfully breaking down a real-world example of the golden rule. In a world where Wall Street can seem like an elite institution that aims to exclude, this user-friendly book offers young people a leg up on their financial future.
Takeaway: Helpful picture book making the basics of handling, saving, and investing money.
Comparable Titles: Jasmine Paul’s A Boy, a Budget, and a Dream, Harriet Ziefert’s You Can’t Buy a Dinosaur with a Dime.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B+
Get ready to read about our two favorite characters, Bull & Bear, from “Bull & Bear Race at the Big Board.” Listen, learn, and follow the wise Piggy Banks, who teaches them the Golden Rule of earning, saving, investing and giving to charity. Follow along as Bear finds ways to earn and save for his shiny new red Bike. Will he save enough by implementing Piggy Banks’ Golden Rule? Find out as the latest installment of the Bull & Bear book series aims to show that money-related books can be fun and educational.
We first met Bull and Bear in their break-out picture book, Bull & Bear Race at the Big Board. It was an imaginative introduction to the stock market, providing the basic investing concepts. The duo is back, educating young minds on the importance of saving and investing your money. It also explores spending money wisely and giving back to charities.
There will always be that one item that children wish they could have. For Bear, that one item was a $100 shiny red bike with a silver bell. He pictured himself wearing a black jacket and shades to match as he posed with his bicycle. He did look very cool in his shades.
Bull encouraged his friend to save the money if he truly wanted to own the bike. Carolina Buzio, the illustrator, drew Bear working hard to earn some cash. He mowed. He shoveled snow. He has washed a car. He even sold lemonade for 50¢. With each job completed, his money jar got a little higher. I was pleased the illustrations showed seasons changing in the job scenes, leading the viewing audience to infer that saving up for that must-have item can take a long time.
It can be frustrating how slowly money accumulates. You can feel like you'll never reach your goal. This is what Bear was experiencing. Thanks to Bull and Piggy Banks, he learned that if you place your money into a savings account, your money will earn interest. While compound interest might be a confusing phrase to some kids, they will be able to understand these words: "It's the best way for money to grow, grow, and grow!"
This story teaches children the importance of earning money, how to grow your money, and remembering to give back to your community. If a child follows the "Golden Rule," they should learn financial independence and empathy toward those in need.
I highly recommend sharing this book with children five years and older. I encourage your family to follow Piggy's Golden Rule: "When you make a dollar, break a dollar - into spending, saving, investing, and giving too."
