This month’s Money as You Grow book club pick: "My Rows and Piles of Coins"

The next Money as You Grow book club selection is “My Rows and Piles of Coins” by Tololwa M. Mollel, for ages 4 to 7. In the book, Sarumi wants to help his mother sell her items at their market in Tanzania. After saving and saving, he’s disappointed when he still doesn’t have enough money to buy a bicycle. His parents give him the family bicycle, and then Sarumi sets a new goal to save up for a cart for the bicycle.

In the Parent Guide for “My Rows and Piles of Coins,” you’ll find questions you can ask your child about the story, as well as activities you can do, based on the key ideas in the book. For young children, it’s important to build foundational skills like waiting for what they want. You might ask about something your child wanted but couldn’t have, and how he or she felt at that time. Slightly older children, up to age 10, may be curious about the world of money around them. You might ask about where your child puts important or valuable things to keep them safe.

Here are some key takeaways that you can share with your child as you read:

• Setting goals
• Saving
• Self-control

The Money as You Grow book club gives parents and caregivers a natural way to start money conversations with children. You can read the Money as You Grow book club selections at home on your own. Use our Parent Guides for key ideas, questions, and activities. 

You can also join a book club at your local library or start a book club yourself. Download our Implementation Guide to get started!

Trying these discussions and related activities after reading helps build a foundation for saving and setting goals for children now, which can develop over time with new experiences. Check out our Money as You Grow resources for even more activities and conversation starters.