In the fourth book in the Hidden Treasures series, lovable young twins Anthony and Mia discover that getting their hands on the exciting skateboards they've set their hearts on is not going to be quite as easy as they first thought...
You see, as Dad patiently explains:
"We get things we need from stores - everything from skateboards to clothes and the food
we eat. When we buy these things, we have to give money to the storekeeper."
It all sounds pretty straightforward, except for one small problem. Anthony and Mia don't have a dollar between them! Undaunted, our young heroes roll up their sleeves and set about earning the money they need. Luckily, their neighbor, Louise has plenty of jobs that need doing and the children soon find themselves busy planting flowers, sweeping paths, raking leaves, pet-sitting, car washing and even painting a fence.
Of course, as the money grows so does the temptation to spend it. After all, who wants money burning a hole in their pocket when there is so much tasty candy waiting to be bought and eaten? Luckily, Dad is on hand to explain the importance of saving for what you want and that a skateboard tomorrow beats candy today.
The twins even learn about how Dad's paycheck works when he disappoints them by taking a few dollars from their savings to pay for all the cleaning materials they use. Annoyed at first, they soon calm down when Dad patiently explains that he and everyone else has to give up part of their earnings every month to help pay for everything from schools to fire trucks.
As the story continues, the role of money and the skills needed to look after it are explained through simple, everyday examples that even very young children can understand. After earning, saving and taxation, the children learn about spending within their means and avoiding debt when faced of a bewildering choice of skateboards in the local store.
Leaving the store with their brand new skateboards tucked under their arms, the children find they have money left over, so Dad takes the opportunity of showing them how to make their savings grow and the satisfaction to be had from donating to charity.
By the time the children are back at home and happily skating along the sidewalk, they and the reader have learned another of life's important lessons; that working hard and taking care of your money helps you to get what you really want; in Antony and Mia's case two bright blue skateboards decorated with cool lightning streaks!
If you enjoy reading this book with your child, why not check out the other books in the Hidden Treasures series? Through sharing in the adventures of Anthony and Mia and their family, each book in the series focuses on one important life lesson: from money to family and from courage to kindness and health.
