Tom Learns About Money follows a young boy who gets money for his birthday, and his older sister tries to teach him how to manage it. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My children and our everyday life inspire the stories. They are based on true events, with a touch of fantasy added to enrich the tale. However, children seem to connect more easily when the message comes from a “friend,” someone their age. For this reason, the role of teacher or guide in the book is played by Tomi’s sister, Ellie.

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

To be honest, my main goal was to demonstrate that financial literacy can be fun, playful, and extremely simple. Reading and math skills should not be obstacles to learning about money.

I believe it is important to cultivate good money habits and other useful practices from a very young age. When the characters in the book make mistakes and learn new skills to manage money wisely, it becomes easier for young readers to relate to them and look up to them as role models. I consider it crucial to focus on developing the right mindset rather than anything else.

What is interesting about this children’s book is it blends activities into the lessons seamlessly to help children understand the concepts without feeling like they are in school. How did you come up with the format and activities for this educational book?

This book was something I needed to teach my children about financial literacy. It is primarily designed as a tool for parents, making it easier for them to nurture good money habits in their children. Over time, it became clear that the book also works well as a study guide in schools.

The questions at the end of each chapter are designed to foster deeper engagement with the material and help families relate the lessons to their financial circumstances.

The “clouds” at the end of each chapter serve as gentle reminders of the key financial wisdom covered in that section. Recognizing that play is one of the most effective ways to learn and reinforce knowledge, I made it a priority to include games at the end of every chapter.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?

The book Tom Learns About Money is designed as a collection of ten different financial literacy stories. These stories cover the most essential topics in the field, offering a clear and comprehensive understanding of how the „money game“ is played in the real world.

It’s possible that in the future, Tom and Ellie will delve deeper into the world of investing, or we might uncover the story of how Ellie gained her financial knowledge. Time will tell!

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