How to Make Money: Smart Ways to Make Millions by Christopher Edge
| How to Make Money: Smart Ways to Make Millions by Christopher Edge | |
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| Category: Children's Non-Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: A readable and informative introduction to the world of finance for the budding entrepreneur. It's positive and encouraging but flags up areas where caution is necessary. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 192 | Date: April 2012 |
| Publisher: Scholastic | |
| ISBN: 978-1407129655 | |
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Most kids seem to feel that they could do with more money and short of the parentals coughing up the dosh they have to find some way of earning it for themselves. Christopher Edge has some ideas which might appeal in How to Make Money, with its particularly eye-catching sub-title Smart Ways to make MILLIONS. Now I rather thought (hoped) that the last bit might be hyperbole, fearing that the country might be over-run by a flood of teenage millionaires, but read on...
It starts very simply with instructions on how children can use their craft skills to make greetings cards, jewellery, decorated t-shirts, candles and biscuits. The instructions are all clear, with warnings about when a child should ask for adult assistance or be careful about the mess and if this is a genuine business venture then the explanations of how to price the end product and market it are simple and useful. Even if it didn't turn into a business then you wouldn't be embarrassed by what's made.
Now that the budding entrepreneur has a few pounds in his pocket it's time to move on to bigger things with chapters on collecting (for resale), businesses that a young person could start, services which could be offered and even ways to save money or be ecologically smart. It's all interesting, written in such a way that you're drawn in and get that can do feeling. Warnings are inserted where appropriate (for instance where modelling is discussed) but the mood of the book is overall very positive.
You're wondering where the first million comes in, aren't you? Well, this comes from the glamour jobs which could feed the bank account. David Beckham is reportedly worth £125m (but have you ever seen Victoria Beckham smile?) and there's quite a bit of detail about other jobs which bring in seven-figure sums. I'll confess to not being entirely happy about this as I've always felt that children should be encouraged to work in a job which makes them happy rather than feeling that vast sums of money are essential for happiness.
I did like the general explanations of bank accounts, taxation and other points which help you to manage your finances effectively. It's realistic in that it accepts that borrowing is gong to be necessary at some point in most people's lives, but explains clearly what the costs - and problems - of borrowing unwisely can be. Being picky I would like to have seen a recommendation about keeping records if you're running a business, but that's me being a perfectionist.
It's aimed at the mid- to older tweens but it's never patronising and even adults will find it informative. It directed more to boys than to girls but not exclusively so and I think it would encourage lively discussion in the eight to twelve age group.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to Bookbag.
The budding inventor might enjoy 101 Things You Wish You'd Invented and Some You Wish No One Had by Richard Horne and Tracey Turner. The child who lacks a little confidence about what they want to do might appreciate How To Get What You Want by Nina Grunfeld.
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You can read more book reviews or buy How to Make Money: Smart Ways to Make Millions by Christopher Edge at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy How to Make Money: Smart Ways to Make Millions by Christopher Edge at Amazon.com.
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