The Value of Saving: The Story of Benjamin Franklin

ValueTales Series

by Spencer Johnson

A brief biography of the outstanding 18th-century printer, inventor, and statesman, emphasizing the value of saving in his life.

Genres: Biography, History, Childrens, Picture Books, American History

Unknown Binding

First published August 1, 1978

About the author

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Patrick Spencer Johnson was an American writer. He was known for the ValueTales series of children's books, and for his 1998 self-help book Who Moved My Cheese?, which recurred on the New York Times Bestseller list, on the Publishers Weekly Hardcover nonfiction list. Johnson was the chairman of Spencer Johnson Partners.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just as good as I remember it being when I was a little kid. I loved that every few pages the book broke the 4th wall and directly asked the kids/readers a question. I don't think I noticed it when I was a kid. These questions were good springboards for discussion for me and my son. He loved learning about Benjamin Franklin.

[May Ling]

The Value of Saving series is one that I absolutely loved and remember as a child. I highly recommend them for any parent who wants to give their kids a little something more to chew on. I remember this one like it was yesterday, with all the illustrations, etc.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My six-year-old is devouring this series, and I too am loving it! Each book highlights a value personified by a notable person in history like Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson, John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed), etc.

My husband remembers reading them as a kid too.

[Vittoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai aimé le livre parce qu'il a construit un foyer en bois...Il a inventé des lunettes à doubles foyer.Il a aussi fait la premiere rue éclairée, service de police, et le premier hopital aux états unis.

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son's favorite in the series (so far) .He loves how each book has an imaginary friend who is the subject of the book's conscious. This imaginary friend was Benny the Penny.He helped teach the value of saving.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider myself lucky to have a collection of these fun, informative books that teach children, young adults and even adults about the people from history who have changed lives. Ben Franklin is one of those people and this book is delightful.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this all by myself, even though I am 5. I learned that saving is very good for the earth and people. Ben invented things with his best friend, Benny the Penny.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome man! I loved reading this to my kids, they learned so much.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! I recommend getting this series for your kids.

[Henry Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. After reading this I started to save my money. I totally think it is must read.

[C.G. Fewston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a kid and remember it fondly, and will have to revisit it with my children.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have trouble remembering if this was another book from this series I read when I was younger. It seems vaguely familiar but also not. The facts generally seem to line up, though (other than the talking penny Benny, haha), so this is a nice story about the value of saving money.

I do have to wonder about Ben shortchanging himself by asking James for only half the money he spent on Ben's food, then only spending half of that on food and saving the rest. Mentally, I imagine James spending massive amounts of money on food, when the reality was probably that Ben found other ways to eat if he was still hungry after spending only a fourth of what James was spending.

On the whole, a good book advertising exactly what it says on the tin. Recommended for open-minded younger readers... assuming they can find a reason to believe in delayed gratification (though having a "walk-away fund" is always valuable).

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked when he invented bifocals. I also liked when he saved money to buy a house.

[Jecel Cortes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a very good book. Sure it is a kids book but it was a good book on teaching me how to save money.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are too many things about this book and the ValueTale series to begin to mention. Buy it if you can. Buy the series if you can. Amazing Character training!

[Oliver James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read.