World Book Day: 4 informative books women can use to teach their children about money

Government research (UK Parliament, 24 January 2024) has revealed that only two in five young adults are financially literate, and that financial education is not being adequately provided in UK schools.

This is concerning, as knowing how to manage money effectively is a crucial life skill. Indeed, the government’s findings show that people with higher financial literacy are:

• More likely to cope better with unexpected income shocks and save for the future
• Less likely to find themselves in unsustainable debt.

For women who want to improve their children’s financial literacy, reading and learning about money matters at home could be an important step, and now is a great time to start.

World Book Day, which aims to foster a love of reading in young people, is just a few weeks away on 5 March.

So, if you’re looking for some fantastic resources to engage and educate your children, here are four informative books you can use to teach them about money.

1. The Moneybunny books by Cinders McLeod (ages 3 to 7 years)

This charming series of books offers a great way to teach your little ones some financial basics in an entertaining manner.

There are four books to collect:

• Earn It!
• Spend It!
• Save It!
• Give It!

Each story focuses on a single, simple money lesson, told through the adventures of Moneybunny, their family, friends, and a host of other bunny rabbits.

The pictures are colourful and clear, and there isn’t a lot of text, making these books ideal for little ones.

The Moneybunny series is designed to help children build healthy financial habits early. It’s a fantastic starting point for positive money conversations at home.

2. Why Money Matters by Deborah Meaden (ages 6 to 9 years)

This critically acclaimed book was written by Deborah Meaden, the highly successful entrepreneur and star of the television programme Dragons’ Den.

It was selected as the Financial Times Book of the Year in 2023 and won the silver award for best non-fiction book at the Made for Mums Awards in the same year.

If you’re looking for an accessible guide that explains the history, purpose, and importance of money, look no further.

Each page is thoughtfully designed with beautiful illustrations, making it easy for your child to digest the information in bite-sized chunks. Meaden explains concepts such as tax and savings in jargon-free language and brings them to life using real-world examples.

Despite being just 32 pages long, Why Money Matters is packed with fun, facts, and challenges that encourage young people to be curious and keen to learn about money.

3. Managing Your Money by Jane Bingham and Holly Bathie (ages 11 to 13 years)

Part of the established Usborne Life Skills series, Managing Your Money offers practical advice on a wide range of financial topics, including:

• Setting up a budget
• Smart spending
• Phones, games, and apps
• Banking
• Work and pay
• Student finance
• Renting and mortgages
• Investing
• Finding help and advice.

This is just a taster of what’s covered – there’s plenty more!

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the world of money that could help build a strong foundation for a financially secure future. It’s a tool you and your children can refer back to as they get older and their financial needs and goals change. The authors have also included links to useful websites with more tips and advice.

4. The Ultimate Guide to Money: Your Mission to Turn Pocket Money into Pots of Money by Emmanuel Asuquo (ages 8 to 14 years)

Emmanuel Asuquo is one of the UK’s top-ranked financial advisers, a renowned media personality, and a wealth-building entrepreneur.

The Ultimate Guide to Money is a great introduction to personal finance for older children and young teenagers. It’s clearly laid out and full of useful tips to help them save and grow their pocket money.

Asuquo talks about how it’s possible to make money from a young age with a very small pot of savings, and he explains how he turned £1 into £1 million.

He creates an interactive game that weaves throughout the book by challenging readers to think about how they might achieve the same goal. At the end of each chapter, your children will be presented with a multiple-choice question asking them what they would do with their money in a certain scenario. Asuquo then makes his recommendations and explores the potential pros and cons of each option.

If you’re keen to spark an entrepreneurial spirit in your children, this insightful and entertaining read is a great choice.

Get in touch

Boosting your financial knowledge and confidence could allow you to better support your children in developing core money management skills.

I specialise in helping women take control of their wealth and feel empowered to make key decisions about their financial futures.

To find out more, please get in touch by email at lottie@truefinancialdesign.co.uk or call 03300 889138.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.