‘I Am Money’ Teaches Kids About Money Basics

Money is a necessity that moves in and out of our lives in some form or amount every day. It is vital to supporting our basic needs and livelihoods. However, understanding the concepts of money isn’t always easy. With all the information and misinformation out there, learning about and teaching others how to earn, spend, save, as well as invest, make payments, and share or give money can be difficult.

For some parents and educators, trying to teach children about money is not only challenging, but it adds extra work to their already busy schedules. While there are plenty of children’s books available, most of them typically focus on a singular money matter only like what it is, saving, investing, or earning. Until recently, there hasn’t been a children’s book written to help children learn about and understand the basic concepts of money. I Am Money is a newly published picture book that is changing how and what children learn about money.

Written in partnership by author Julia Cook, and finance coach Garrett Gunderson, this engaging picture book adds a new and entertaining spin on teaching kids the basic concepts of money. As the main character of the book, Money teaches readers how to earn, spend, save, invest, and share money using plain language and fun examples that children can easily connect with and relate to.

Dressed in a gold clip and glasses, Money tells the reader all about itself including what it is, why it’s needed, and how to manage it. The delightfully charming character also discusses the different types and forms of currency as well as the importance of investing in yourself and sharing money with others. At the end of the book, there are 10 money tips that both children and adults will find beneficial. The colourful illustrations by Josh Cleland add to the book’s humour.

Cleland is a world class illustrator who creates vibrant, high-quality illustrations for picture books, iOS apps, websites, album covers, magazines, billboards, animations, and other digital and hard copy media for clients all over the world.

The two authors are respected experts in their fields. A former teacher and counselor, Cook is a celebrated, award-winning children’s book author who has written 126 books to date. Her books have sold over three million copies and are available in nine different languages.
Gunderson is a successful entrepreneur, finance coach, and best-selling author of several financial books. He also has several YouTube videos about money and regularly tours the United States to perform his one-man comedy show about money matters.

Cook and Gunderson met by chance at an airport where they were both waiting to catch the same flight. Cook overheard Gunderson on the phone talking about money while sitting at the boarding gate and struck up a conversation with him. By a twist of fate, the two were seated beside each other on the plane. During the flight, they continued their conversation about their careers and their individual interest in creating a children’s book about money. By the time the plane landed, Cook and Gunderson knew they wanted to collaborate on a picture book together and their journey to write I Am Money began.

I Am Money is currently available in digital and hard copy form at Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books, and Kobo. The hard copy version is available in paperback and hardcover.

Their joint adventure continues as Cook and Gunderson are working on developing a series of animations where their character Money will continue to teach kids about money basics in highly entertaining cartoon videos.