Money World
What Is Money?
Why people invented money, the three jobs money does, and how barter turned into coins, paper and digital money.
Free sampleJunior 4+Explorer 8+Advanced 13+12 min✓ Completed

The Wealthonauts Adventures · Book 01
Goldie’s journey from barter to digital dollars
Ages 4+eBook available now
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What Is Money, Really? is a picture book for kids ages 4 and up and the first title in The Wealthonauts Adventures. If you are looking for a what is money book for kids that goes beyond counting coins, this story is designed for you. Goldie, a round golden space companion, takes young readers on a journey from barter to coins, paper money and today’s digital dollars.
Goldie wants a snack but only has a shiny ball, and the snack seller doesn’t want balls. That small problem launches a big adventure. Along the way, Goldie discovers why people agreed on money, why coins replaced heavy goods and why most money today lives in bank accounts. Each spread pairs a simple sentence with a picture, so pre-readers can follow along.
The book uses short sentences, repeated phrases and clear illustrations. In addition, every page connects to a lesson on this site, so a parent can turn a bedtime story into a five-minute activity. The facts were written to be accurate, not just cute: for example, the book explains that most money is stored in banks, not in piggy banks.
Pair the book with the free lesson What Is Money? and the Money World planet page.
Read one chapter or spread at a time, then pause and ask what the characters should do next. Afterward, open the matching free lessons below for activities at three age levels. Teachers can pair this what is money book for kids with the printable worksheets in the Academy.
Purchases are completed by a parent or guardian at checkout. eBooks are read online: open them from the order confirmation page, the confirmation email or My account → My books.
Read one spread at a time and ask, “What would you trade?” Then try the matching game in the free What Is Money? lesson (ages 4+ level).
Sample story text from the book.
On Money World, the morning stars were still twinkling.
Goldie rolled up to Pip’s snack stand. “One jar of Star Crunch, please! I can trade you my shiny ball.”
Pip shook both antennas. “Sorry, Goldie. I don’t need a ball. I need a kite!”
Goldie didn’t have a kite. Goldie only had a ball. Uh-oh.
Captain Coin floated over. “What if we all agreed on one thing to trade with? Something small that lasts a long time. Something everybody will take.”
“Money!” shouted Goldie.
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Money World
Why people invented money, the three jobs money does, and how barter turned into coins, paper and digital money.
Free sampleJunior 4+Explorer 8+Advanced 13+12 min✓ Completed
Money World
How gold and silver became money, how paper money and Federal Reserve notes developed, and why the dollar is not backed by gold today.
🔒 All-AccessJunior 4+Explorer 8+Advanced 13+14 min✓ Completed

Book 05 · Ages 6+
The true story of how money changed
eBook available now

Book 08 · Ages 6+
What really happens to money in a bank
eBook available now