Everyday Cheapskate: 9 Best Money Books for Kids and Teens

If I had a dollar for every person who has ever asked me, "Why didn't anyone ever tell me how to manage money and stay out of debt when I was a kid?!" I'd be a wealthy woman. If you have kids in your life as young as 3 and up to young-adult age, consider these excellent books to get those conversations started that can open the doors to financial literacy.

"Those Shoes," by Maribeth Boelts: This book features a young boy, a pair of shoes and learning the difference between needs and wants. All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy's grandma says they don't have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren't much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has -- warm boots, a loving grandma and the chance to help a friend -- are worth more than the things he wants. Ages 5 to 8. About $7.

"Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique," by Jane O'Connor: Fancy Nancy, a girl who enjoys turning even the most ordinary events into fabulous occasions, figures out how to earn money first, then spend. Ages 4 to 7. About $12.

"A Chair for My Mother," by Vera B. Williams: After the protagonist's family loses their home in a fire, the family members decide to save coins to buy a new chair for their home. The mother is a waitress and tries to save all the money she can to help out the family. When the jar is full, they go out and buy a beautiful chair for the family to enjoy. A story of love and devotion. Ages 5 to 8. About $7.

"The Money We'll Save," by Brock Cole: When Pa brings a turkey home to fatten for Christmas dinner, he assures Ma that it will be no trouble since it can live in a box by the stove and eat table scraps -- and just think of the money we'll save! But it's not quite so simple to raise a turkey in a tiny flat in a 19th-century New York City tenement. How the family joins together to solve this last difficulty makes for a very funny and satisfying holiday story. Ages 4 to 8. About $16.

"Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money," by Emily Jenkins: On a cold winter day, Pauline and her younger brother, John-John, decide to have a lemonade stand. Gathering all their quarters, they buy their supplies and make lemonade, limeade and lemon-limeade. On their mostly empty street with the snow falling, they attract a few customers. What happens becomes a beautiful tribute to trust and tenderness shared by siblings. This lovely story is an entrepreneurship how-to that celebrates the thrill and realities of free enterprise; a parable about persistence. Ages 3 to 7. About $14.

"The Everything Kids' Money Book," by Brette McWhorter Sember: How to earn it, save it and watch it grow. From saving for a new bike to investing their allowance online, kids get the "cents" they need with this. Kids will also learn how coins and bills are made, what money can buy -- from school supplies to fun and games; how credit cards work, ways to watch money grow from savings to stocks, and more. Non-fiction. Ages 7 to 12. About $8.

"National Geographic Kids Everything Money," by Kathy Furgang. A wealth of facts, photos and fun. Kids will also learn about money around the world from a National Geographic expert, featured in "Explorer's Corners" throughout the book. Packed with fun facts and amazing photographs, this book gives kids an in-depth look at this fascinating and important topic. Ages 8 to 12. About $9.

"The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens: 8 Steps to Having More Money Than Your Parents Ever Dreamed Of," by David and Tom Garner: A hip, funny, cynical, opinionated and right-on book geared to teens. Ages 12 and older. About $10.

"The Money Class: A Course in Basic Money Management for Teens and Young Adults," by Michael James Minyard: Money management is a skill the young people of today know very little about. Most young adults leave high school or college faced with debt and not knowing how to make good financial decisions. Their futures depend on knowing the concepts of financial literacy. This book will open up great conversations about money and responsibility with your teens. Ages 12 and older. About $20.

To find Amazon quick links for all of the books mentioned above, please visit www.everydaycheapskate.com/kidsmoneybooks.

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Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, "Ask Mary." This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book "Debt-Proof Living."