English-medium fiction on a financial education theme

English-medium fiction on a financial education theme

There are many stories with a money-related theme. The following English-medium publications may be useful to support the teaching of financial education. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.

A Chair For My Mother by Vera B. Williams (HarperTrophy, 1982)

After a fire destroys their home, Rosa, her mother, and her grandmother save and save until they can afford to buy a lovely comfortable chair.

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1987)

Last Sunday, Alexander’s grandparents gave him a dollar. He wanted to save it but somehow his money began to disappear. . .

Benny's Pennies by Pat Brisson (Yearling, 1995)

Benny has five pennies and thoughtfully spends them buying gifts for his family. Suitable for younger children.

Billionaire Boy by David Walliams (HarperCollins, 2011)

A humorous story about Joe Spud, ‘the richest 12-year-old in the world’. He has everything he wants, but he really needs a friend.

Dogger by Shirley Hughes (Red Fox, 2009)

Dave is distraught when he loses his favourite toy ‘Dogger’. Then he spots him on a stall at the school fête. Will he be able to get him back?

Finders, Keepers by Elizabeth Crary (Parenting Press, Inc., 1987)

What do you do when you and your friend find a wallet containing dollars? Your friend wants to take money to buy ice-cream. This ‘choose your own ending’ book lets the child decide what action the character takes before reading on through the story.

Just Like Jasper by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen (Hodder Children’s Books, 2008)

A story for young children. Jasper has to decide what to buy with his birthday money.

Little Croc’s Purse by Lizzie Finlay (Red Fox Picture Books, 2010)

Little Croc finds a purse. His friends think he should spend some of the money, but he is determined to find the owner. When he is rewarded for his good deed he splits his money into three envelopes labelled ‘spend’, ‘save’ and ‘share’.

Welsh Women Series 3: Mary Jones and her Bible Quest by Siân Lewis (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2011)

The famous story of Mary Jones who saved for six years for a Bible then walked 25 miles barefoot through the mountains to buy one in Bala.

Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan Children’s Books, 2008)

A humorous book about two brothers who discover a bag stuffed full of money and find themselves very rich.

On The Money by Alison Prince, Jonathon Meres, Theresa Breslin and Nicola Morgan (Scottish Book Trust, 2007)

This is a collection of four stories looking at a range of money topics. Related teacher materials, including story downloads, are available on the internet.

‘Penny Wise’ books by Andy Flatt (Southgate Publishing, 2012)

A range of entertaining books about ‘Penny Wise’, a 10-year-old girl who wants to know more about money and its effects on her and her family.

Penny Wise Finds out about Bills and Taxes – Teacher’s Book

Penny Wise Finds out about Bills – Pupil’s Book

Penny Wise Finds Out About Taxes – Pupil’s Book

Penny Wise Finds out About Borrowing and Saving – Teacher’s Book

Penny Wise Finds Out About Borrowing – Pupil’s Book

Penny Wise Finds Out About Saving – Pupil’s Book

Something Special For Me by Vera B. Williams (HarperTrophy, 1986)

Rosa finds it difficult to spend the money her mother and grandmother have saved for her special birthday present.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (Particular Books, 2010) The story of a tree that keeps on giving to a boy that keeps on taking as he grows into an old man.

The Great Pet Sale by Mick Inkpen (Hodder Children's Books, 2006)

In ‘The Great Pet Sale’ everything is a bargain. How many pets can a little boy buy with £1 to spend?

The Ten Silver Coins by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen (Lion Hudson, 2009)

Here is a woman who is very sad. She has lost something very, very important and she must search everywhere to find it. Does she find what she has lost? From the ‘Stories Jesus Told’ series.

Thomas and the Tinners by Jill Paton Walsh (Hodder Wayland, 1995)

Thomas is working down the tin mine. He shares his pasty with a tiny Bucca miner

(Cornish fairy) and is rewarded with a wish. But soon more tiny miners come, and Thomas isn’t sure if he should continue his kindness.

Traditional tales may also be useful – King Midas, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Rumpelstiltskin.

Welsh-medium fiction on a financial education theme

There are many stories with a money-related theme. The following Welsh-medium publications may be useful to support the teaching of financial education. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.

‘Ariana’ books by Andy Flatt (Southgate Publishing, 2012)

A range of entertaining books about ‘Ariana’, a 10-year-old girl who wants to know more about money and its effects on her and her family.

Ariana yn Dod i Ddeall Trethi – Llyfr Disgybl
Ariana yn Dod i Ddeall Biliau a Threthi – Llyfr Athrawon

Ariana yn Dod i Ddeall Cynilo – Llyfr Disgybl

Ariana yn Dod i Ddeall Benthyca – Llyfr Disgybl

Ariana yn Dod i Ddeall Benthyca a Chynilo – Llyfr Athrawon

Ariana yn Dod i Ddeall Biliau – Llyfr Disgybl

Alaw’r Fôrforwyn by Julia Donaldson, translated by Mererid Hopwood (Rily Publications, 2013)

The Singing Mermaid joins a circus, but soon finds that living in a fish tank is very different to the ocean. Also, the wicked circus owner has kept all the money. Can she find a way to escape?

Arian – Llyfr 1 (Prim-Ed, Nuneaton, 1996)

A photocopiable book of activities supporting the basic teaching of money.

Clwb Cysgu Cŵl: Help! Y Clwb Cysgu Cŵl by Fiona Cummings, adapted/translated by Siân Lewis (Gwasg Gomer, 2004)

A story about five girls who organise a fundraising day for the local hospital’s children's ward.

Cyfres Darllen Difyr: Bargen! by Mari Tudor (Atebol, 2011)

Serena wants to spend her birthday money on clothes, she’s hoping for a bargain.
A storybook for seven to nine-year-olds learning Welsh as a second language.

Cyfres Gweld Sêr 5, Llwyddiant Llywela by Cindy Jefferies, adapted/translated by Emily Huws (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2008)

Llywela wants to be a rock star. When she hears about a school for orphans in Africa, she decides that raising money to help them is more important than her ambition.

Cyfres Lolipop: Arian Poced Morgan by Rhian Mair Evans (Gwasg Gomer, 2012)

Morgan is determined to earn enough pocket money to buy ‘Y Tanosorws Tanllyd’, a dinosaur he’s seen advertised on TV.

Cyfres Merched Cymru 3: Mari Jones – Beibl o'r Diwedd! by Siân Lewis

(Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2011)

The famous story of Mary Jones who saved for six years for a Bible then walked 25 miles barefoot through the mountains to buy one in Bala.

Dan Draed Dan Glo by Eurgain Haf (Gwasg y Dref Wen, 2009)

Siencyn realises that Dan, his dog, is very poorly. Dan needs to see the vet, but Siencyn has no money to pay the bill. Will anyone help Siencyn?

Dim Problem by Emily Huws (Canolfan Astudiaethau Addysg, 2009)

When Llyr’s bike breaks, he has to think of how to get enough money quickly to buy another one.

Gemau'r Parot Piws: Siopa! Gêm Blas ar Fyw! by Glyn Saunders Jones, Gill Saunders Jones a Colin Isaac (Atebol, 2009)

An educational boxed game which involves using money skills for children 7–14.

Jac a’r Goeden Ffa by Richard Walker, Niamh Sharkey ac Elin Meek (Llyfrau Barefoot Cymru Cyf, 2012)

The traditional tale of ‘Jack and The Beanstalk’.

Mae Arian yn Cyfrif – Datblygu Gallu Ariannol Yn Yr Ysgol Gynradd (BEAM Education, 2004)

This book explores ways to teach children to deal with money and finances.

Siani’r Shetland: Siani ar Garlam by Anwen Francis (Gwasg Gomer, 2007)

The Shetland pony is involved in raising money and has a long journey to get to the vet through a snowstorm.

Siencyn a Dan Draed by Eurgain Haf (Gwasg y Dref Wen)

Siencyn is a tramp with no home, no money and he has lost his memory. But Dan Draed, a three-legged circus dog, comes to Siencyn's rescue.