The Berenstain Bears' Dollars and Sense (First Time ... (ISBN 0375811249)

How to use a checkbook?:
Stan and Jan should have left the topic of money management alone, especially considering they seem to have covered the subject quite well in the classic "Trouble With Money," published in 1983. Basically, this book tries to teach young children how to manage their money through the use of a checkbook and even includes sample checks for kids to write. Not a bad idea, I suppose, until you consider the fact that the kids who read this book are in first and second grade. Does that mean that we will be giving third and fourth graders credit cards in the near future? I hope not. To avoid any further cynicism, though, I urge parents to preview this book before purchasing, because it may not be what you first expect. The manuscript and drawings in "Dollars and Sense" are also decidedly second-rate. Instead, I highly recommend "The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money," for it is not only more sound and appropriate advice for the age level, but the the story and illustrations are also much more inspired.

Not a bad idea!:
This book shows that brother and sister have no idea on how to save their money. Mama and Papa try just giving them their allowances to see how they would spend it instead of them just asking Papa for money all the time. Well, they gave it to them at the beginning of the week, at which time the cubs would make a mad dash to the store and spend the whole thing. They did that week after week until they decided that they needed more. So, Papa and Mama do increase their allowances, but instead of them running off and spending it, Mama gives them a checkbook which shows how much money they have. When they want something, they writea check for cash for Mama to cash and voila! They can buy their item. What this book teaches is how to manage the money and actually see where it goes. I'm not sure the checkbook idea is a fantastic one, maybe more of a ledger system without the checks included would be better. Perhaps Mama should just keep their money in a type of bank and when the cubs want something, they could tell her how much it cost and actually see what they have left in their "accounts." That way, it's treated like a savings account instead of just a cash account. The main goal should be to teach kids to save their money, not spend it. But then that's another story... I'm not sure that I really recommend this book or not. It's not a favorite in this house because it is quite "blah." It doesn't really enforce the money issue is a direct way, or so I think, but it is quite amusing to see the cubs' faces when they get their money for the week!

Timeless Book:
We love Berenstain Bear books. The theme is always interesting. The Kids can learn how to spend their money and save some for bad time

Money Problems:
Sister and Brother Bear love money. The day comes they find out they can BUY things with it. They go on spending sprees and use their money irresponsibly. Mama and Papa Bear try to help them by giving them an allowance. Well the cubs are THRILLED! Now they can spend the money how they want! Problem is they spend it on little things like cards and candy. Soon they find out they have NO money for the rest of the week or the following weeks. Mama decides to be a "bank" for the cubs. She gives them each checkbooks to write down what they have spent etc. so the cubs would know what they had spent and what they still had in the "bank". Soon the cubs save enough money to buy what they want and learn to use their money wisely.

Dollars & Sense:
This book was purchased for a National Teach A Child To Save Day activity at our Adopt-A-Schools in Jackson, MS. It delivered the message we needed to our children understand the importance of saving and not spending.