Hope for your financial life and beyond

The Lemonade Stand Book Review Plus An iPad Mini Giveaway

The lemonade stand book reviewToday I have the pleasure of assisting my friend Shannon Ryan from TheHeavyPurse.com as she kicks off the release of her new book The Lemonade Stand. In addition, you can sign up below for the chance to receive a free iPad Mini. How cool is that!

Before you get to the giveaway, I’d like to briefly share my review of The Lemonade Stand, a book geared toward children ages 4-9.

The book follows the adventures of sisters Lauren and Taylor and their friends Ryan and Christopher.

The Storyline

As they shop in preparation for a beach trip the following day, Christopher discovers a toy he wants really bad. Guess what? His brother Ryan also finds something in the toy aisle. Both beg their mother for their desired toy that they must have “right now!”

The purchase is not in mom’s budget and the boys don’t have the money themselves to purchase the items. Obviously they are disappointed.

In steps Lauren and Taylor.

Lauren describes to Christopher how her mom has taught them to save for things they want to buy. Christopher is intrigued but definitely confused by the whole saving concept. Lauren promised further details after their day at the beach.

Lauren’s ingenious plan is to teach Christopher and Ryan how to save, spend and give. The tool she will use to teach this concept is…you guessed it…a lemonade stand.

Major Themes – What Kids Will Learn

This book teachings many lessons children need to learn. Kids will:

1. See how hard work leads to profit.

2. Learn the value of waiting to make a purchase.

3. See how to work with others to accomplish a goal.

4. Understand the difference between gross profit and net profit. (Really…it’s in there.)

5. See the joy that comes from giving and sharing.

My Thoughts

I really liked this book. Being a parent myself I know the challenge of teaching kids the principles of saving, spending and giving. In the book, Lauren and Taylor clearly have these concepts down and are eager to teach their friends.

It’s especially refreshing to see kids who are willing to work hard to achieve their goals. Too many parents are spoon feeding their kids and purchasing for them every object they desire. This parental model creates kids who don’t understand the value of work and feel entitled to everything.

What clearly is the highlight of the book for me is how the children learn to share with others in the end. Saving and spending wisely are of course important concepts to grasp. However, giving is the part of a person’s financial plan that is often neglected. That’s too bad because in giving we find blessings that cannot be measured in dollars. Kids need to learn that at a young age.

I’d highly recommend this book for parents or teachers desiring to teach their kids these values. Shannon has done a wonderful job presenting these concepts and the book is full of the kind of big, colorful pictures kids love.

The Lemonade Stand retails for $17.95. Shannon shares her story and passion behind the book here. You will find also find at that link a special coupon code you can enter upon purchase to receive a discount on the book.

Don’t forget to sign up for the raffle below. With so many sponsors helping Shannon you have many chances to enter to win.

The Lemonade Stand – iPad Mini Giveaway

July 14-31, 2014

Sponsored by The Heavy Purse

Co-hosted by Broke Millennial, Budget and The Beach, Budget Blonde, Cash Cow Couple, Club Thrifty, Color Me Frugal, Debt Debs, Debt Roundup, Disease Called Debt, Eat Laugh Purr, Enemy of Debt, Eyes on the Dollar, Femme Frugality, Financially Blonde, Frugal Rules, Living Richly Cheaply, Luke 1428, Making Sense of Cents, Money Saving Dude, Not Now Mom’s Busy, Reach Financial Independence, Shoeaholic No More, Stacking Benjamins, Tackling Our Debt, The Broke and Beautiful Life, The Finance Girl, The Frugal Farmer, The Random Path, Thrifty Dad and Young Adult Money.

Join Lauren and Taylor in their continuing money adventures in The Lemonade Stand by Shannon Ryan, CFP®. Shannon is a Mom on a mission to help busy parents teach their children simple, value-based principles that guide their money decisions and support their long-term financial well-being.

“Everyone handles money. Unfortunately, not everyone does it with confidence. Money has long been a taboo topic in many homes, which makes it even harder for parents to know where to start or what to teach. So I created a series of children books to help parents ease into these important conversations. Financial literacy is one of the most loving gifts you can give your children, and I encourage everyone to make money conversations a priority in your home.”

We’re Giving Away an iPad Mini to One Lucky Reader!

Help us celebrate the release of The Lemonade Stand and join Shannon in her mission to increase financial literacy in both children and adults.

The giveaway runs from July 14-31, 2014 and is open worldwide.*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* A winner located outside of the United States will receive a cash equivalent prize via PayPal.

Next Post: The Tools of Motivation – Getting What You Need to Succeed

Prior Post: I’ve Scrapped My DISQUS Commenting System to Run a Blog Experiment

I hope you enjoyed that post. Want more?
Sign up to receive my blog posts via email and get your free gift...
99 Ways to Spend Less and Save More

Privacy Guarantee: I will not share your email with anyone.

Comments

  1. Hey, great share…..

    The lemonade stand looks like a great book. I am surely going to get this for kids. I am eagerly waiting to read this book along with my kids.

    Thanks for sharing this post. Keep sharing more….
    Cheers!!

  2. Well written review, Brian. It is a great book. I can understand why your kids loved it!

  3. It sounds like a great book, one that every parent should be reading to their children. If I had any, children that is, I would most certainly get a copy.

    • Parents reading to children is one of the best ways to increase the kids knowledge and learning. If only more parents realized that.

  4. Thanks for your wonderful review, Brian. I truly appreciate it. “This parental model creates kids who don’t understand the value of work and feel entitled to everything.” It’s so true and the worst part is how many parents think they are doing the right thing by giving their kids everything. I know my girls have a very good life but they also know that Mom and Dad work hard to give them this life and we are not entitled to it. Thanks again for your support!

  5. Thanks for the book recommendation. As an elementary school librarian I always get excited about new books, especially ones that can make an impact – I’ll look to add this book to my library this fall.

  6. Great review Brian! As a parent, I also agree that it’s a great resource for teaching our kids more about money, in fact, I had my 8 year old read it and he loved it.

    • My kids really enjoyed it as well.

    • As much as parents need to talk to their kids about money, kids love learning from other kids too. When I read the book to schools and organizations with the the girls, the other kids respond so strongly to hearing Lauren and Taylor speak so enthusiastically about their save, spend and share goals. And I’m glad your son enjoyed the book too!

  7. I got a copy of the book too and it was so well done! I love how she mentions the profits minus the expenses too. I think that is a great money lesson to learn when you are young instead of having that reality hit you hard as an adult. ha ha!

    • “…the profits minus the expenses too.” I thought that was nice touch as well. That’s a pretty advanced lesson some business owners can’t even grasp.

    • I’m glad you enjoyed the book too, Tonya! I know so many parents who suddenly grow anxious when it’s time for their kids to leave home and they realize their kids have very little concept of the “real world”. From how much rent costs, car insurance, gas, groceries to paying taxes. It can be a real slap in the face when you are used to everything being provided for you.

  8. “I am a fan of the no-disquis commenting login.” LOL…seems so many people share your view.

  9. I’m excited for Shannon and her book! And Brian – I am a fan of the no-disquis commenting login 🙂

Speak Your Mind

*