A cheerful approach to all things financial plus playful photo collages and colorful drawings make up this fact-filled compendium of everything kids could possibly need to know about money--and more. Neale S. Godfrey, a nationally recognized expert on kids and money, and illustrator Randy Verougstraete tell the story of money--from bartering to investing--with animated appeal. Each subject receives careful and lively attention: the history of money; earning, saving, and spending money; banking facts and bank account information; credit card explanations and warnings ("It"s In-credit-ible!"); information about America"s economic structure and the government"s economic role; taxes; the laws of supply and demand; inflation and depression; and stocks and bonds. Fun financial trivia is interspersed throughout, and word problems and matching games complete each of the nine chapters. Godfrey does a fine job of covering complicated concepts, successfully tying her explanations with kids" everyday experiences (for example, creating a business plan for a dog-walking service). Kids will enjoy learning about finances with this easy-to-digest format, and grown-ups may be surprised to learn a thing or two as well. This book is about as far from dull gray, boring, banking as it gets. (Ages 8 to 12) --Ericka Lutz