Education is extremely important for children (and adults) with many things to learn, but teaching them the value of money is one of the most powerful life lessons we can give them, although it is something that is often overlooked. When children learn early that money isn’t just something adults hand over, but is something connected to effort, planning and decision-making, they begin to build habits that will support them throughout their lives. Which brings me to a fun book that looks at money: Ava Saves Up! by Nathan Waldron.
Ava Saves Up! is the first picture book in the Pocket Money Adventures series and is a gentle, engaging and meaningful tale that helps children understand more about money: specifically saving, spending wisely and working towards a goal. It is set in the city of Silverton, the City of Speed and features seven-year-old Ava who wants nothing more than to win the Silverton Speed Cup, that is until her rival Zion turns up in brand-new Super Speed Trainers and Ava’s “I WANT IT NOW” feeling takes over. To get her own pair of trainers Ava needs to earn coins and save up to buy a pair. But she is going to learn that wanting something and being to buy it are not the same thing.
The story is told using fun animal characters, in a futuristic city of speed, and narrated by a rather cool robot named Walbot. It follows Ava’s journey of her excitement of wanting something new and trying to get the money to buy it. The story doesn’t see Ava nagging her mum to buy the trainers, instead her mum advises her to save up and follow a simple money trick: Tap. Tap. Pause. The story then guides her through the process of earning, saving and making thoughtful choices. This is where the book comes into its own – it examines the importance of doing jobs to earn money, how to save some while still being able to spend, having goals and making considered choices rather than impulsive ones.
Overall, Ava Saves Up! is a fantastic story that has a meaningful message and gives young children a starting point in good money management and spending habits.
The writing is warm and accessible and has a fun story, which makes it ideal for young readers, age 4-7. The characters are instantly likeable with Ava being curious, enthusiastic and wonderfully relatable. It demonstrates qualities children can relate to in the form of her excitement, her frustrations and her determination, and for any adults reading they will appreciate how her experiences can open the door to important conversations about money. The story never feels preachy or heavy-handed, it gently nudges and encourages children to think about money, the choices they make and the consequences that can follow by rushing into things and not making a considered purchase.
While the story looks at that I WANT IT NOW feeling and saving money for those purchases, it also delivers the idea that saving money is something positive rather than restrictive. It doesn’t deliver the idea that you earn money and save it, but gently looks at how it would really work in earning money, spending some (to a budget) and saving some. This powerful messages shows that it isn’t about saying “no” to everything but setting goals, showing that instant gratification isn’t as good as earning and saving for something that you really do want rather than what you think you want (and much more meaningful and enjoyable). It does a fantastic job of showing how money and patience can be rewarding, especially with the tap, tap, pause method which encourages readers to stop, think and choose wisely before making purchases.
The book is illustrated by Ashley Mountford and complement the story beautifully. The pages are uncluttered and the images are colourful, expressive and full of charm, bringing Ava’s world to life and helping young readers to stay engaged.
I like that the text is split into different coloured highlighted parts to indicate which character is talking – it makes me think of text messages, but it easy to read and lets younger readers follow who is talking on each page (there is also an image of each character next to the text when they are talking).
While it is a fun and easy to read story, the best part is how it encourages children to think about money – not about accumulating money but how to set goals, track progress and make choices that support that goal. These are wonderful foundational skills that will help children as they grow and will hopefully help children have a better understanding of how finances work as they grow.
Ava Saves Up! is a delightful, meaningful and positive story. It’s engaging enough to capture young imaginations and is meaningful and thoughtful enough to spark conversations about money. And I love that Ava doesn’t quite get it right first time but learns lessons for the future.
And the learning fun doesn’t stop there. When the story finishes, at the back of the book are little guides to the “I-want-it” feeling, how to manage a money band and how money goes up and down, questions to talk about, some simple counting tasks with Walbot and space to draw what you really want to save for and how much it will cost.
A charming and practical book that is a joy to read.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £7.99 (Paperback) / £1.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit pocketmoneyadventures.co.uk. Available to buy from Amazon here.
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