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Cover of Wealthonauts Book 1: What Is Money, Really?

The Wealthonauts Adventures · Book 01

What Is Money, Really?

Goldie’s journey from barter to digital dollars

Ages 4+eBook available now

The eBook is available now. Buy it below and start reading online right away from your order confirmation or My account → My books. The paperback edition is coming soon; sign up below to hear when it launches.

what is money book for kids: What Is Money, Really? cover

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.

About this what is money book for kids

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.

Why families will like it

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.

Using this what is money book for kids at home or in class

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.

Two ways to learn this

Read the bookRead the story together, in paperback or as an eBook you read online.eBook available now — buy & read online
BestTake the matching lessonsThe same topics, in the Wealthonauts course for your child’s age — with quizzes, tracking and a game. Included in All-Access.What Is Money?Gold, Silver and Paper Money

Formats and pricing

  • Digital eBook (read online)$6.99
    Read instantly online after checkout
  • eBook + All-Access courses$102.99Save $3.00
    Read the book online + every course (All-Access), one payment
  • Paperback$12.99 Coming soon

Get notified when the paperback launches

We will email you once when the paperback is available. For parents, guardians and teachers (18+).

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.

What kids will learn

  • Explain why people use money instead of barter
  • Name coins, bills and cards as ways to pay
  • Understand that money can be spent, saved or shared
  • Know that most money today is kept in banks

For parents and teachers

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).

Preview pages

Sample story text from the book.

Page 1

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.”

Page 2

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.

Page 3

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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Related lessons

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

Money World

Gold, Silver and Paper Money

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

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