Books for feelings and life
Books about money, saving and what things cost
Money books for young children cover wanting, saving, spending and earning. The best are about a particular child who makes a real choice.
Picks drawn from long-standing children's-librarian lists, ALSC notable and award records, and Common Sense Media age ratings, with each title and author checked against Open Library, Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
Judith Viorst · Ages 4-8
Alexander's dollar disappears bit by bit. A funny lesson on spending.
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A Chair for My Mother
Vera B. Williams · Ages 4-8
A family saves coins in a jar after a fire. A 1983 Caldecott Honor book.
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Lemonade in Winter: A Book About Two Kids Counting Money
Emily Jenkins, illustrated by G. Brian Karas · Ages 4-8
Two children run a lemonade stand in winter and practice counting coins.
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The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money
Stan and Jan Berenstain · Ages 3-7
Sister Bear learns that money doesn't grow on trees.
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Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock
Sheila Bair · Ages 5-8
Brothers disagree about saving. By a former chair of the FDIC.
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Sam and the Lucky Money
Karen Chinn · Ages 4-8
Sam must decide how to spend his Chinese New Year gift.
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Ox-Cart Man
Donald Hall · Ages 4-8
A New England farmer sells a year's work at market and comes back to begin again. 1980 Caldecott Medal.
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Bunny Money
Rosemary Wells · Ages 3-6
Max and Ruby shop for Grandma's birthday present.
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The Go-Around Dollar
Barbara Johnston Adams · Ages 5-9
Follows one dollar bill from hand to hand and teaches about trade.
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More lists
Books about anger for kids
Anger is one of the first big feelings children need words for.
Books about sadness and sad days
Children are often told to cheer up.
Books about fear, the dark and monsters
Fear of the dark, of monsters, and of being left is normal between ages 3 and 7.
Books about worry and anxiety
Worry can show up as stomachaches, clinging or perfectionism.
Books about shyness and quiet kids
Shy and quiet are not problems to fix.
Books about loneliness and finding a friend
Loneliness is different from being alone.
Books about frustration and trying again
For the child who throws the pencil when the drawing is not right.
Mindfulness and calm-down books for kids
Short books that teach breathing, noticing and stillness.