May 19, 2011

Kids’ Book Teaches Bankable Lessons

Young readers have given a thumbs-up to the new children’s book, “I Got Bank!”

The book is about 10-year-old Jazz Elliott, who follows the frugality lesson his late granddad taught him: he has saved $2,000 in a bank account.

On Friday afternoons in May, eight- to 12-year-olds take turns reading the book aloud during the after-school program at the Mission Park Apartments in Boston. It elicits all kinds of discussion.

One of the readers, Ellen, had a Eureka moment after librarian Beverly Moss explains how regular savings accounts work.

“Oh, that’s an interest rate!” Ellen said.

The book’s author, Teri Williams, is also president of a bank that is giving away free copies of “I Got Bank!” to grade schools and after-school programs. Williams, who grew up in a low-income housing project in Bridgeport, Connecticut, said she wrote the book to help children who have similar backgrounds start learning financial skills. …Learn More