Make Your Own Money

by Ty Allan Jackson, Nicole Miles (Illustrator)

Award-winning author and charismatic motivational speak Ty Allan Jackson created the young fictional character Danny Dollar, who has inspired countless children around the world to make, save, and spend money wisely, and to dream big. Now the “King of Cha-Ching” returns to take kids on a how-to journey toward financial literacy, with tips and guidance for making money and minding their own businesses. With Danny as their money-savvy guide, readers get answers to questions like “What is money?” and “How do I make money?” to “Why should I become an entrepreneur?” This lively, easy-to-read blueprint for financial success provides creative and practical tips for earning money by starting a business, and even covers how to write a business plan, raise start-up money, and understand profit and loss. It also teaches important economic vocabulary (needs vs. wants, goods vs. services) as well as essential life skills for handling money (how to open a bank account, create a budget, invest, and donate). 

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2021

Reviews

[Amelia.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ty Allan Jackson’s Make Your Own Money is a vibrant and empowering guide that turns financial literacy into an adventure of imagination, confidence, and real world learning. With his signature energy and warmth, Jackson joined by illustrator Nicole Miles transforms complex concepts about money, entrepreneurship, and responsibility into an accessible, engaging, and deeply motivating experience for young readers.

Guided by the charismatic “King of Cha-Ching,” Danny Dollar, children are invited to explore what money truly means not just as a tool for buying things, but as a gateway to creativity, independence, and purpose. From understanding the basics of budgeting and banking to writing business plans and launching small ventures, Jackson demystifies the path to financial empowerment while keeping the tone lively and fun.

What makes this book remarkable is its balance of inspiration and practicality. Jackson speaks directly to kids’ curiosity and ambition, encouraging them to dream big while grounding those dreams in actionable steps. The illustrations by Nicole Miles add warmth and humor, making each lesson visually memorable.

Make Your Own Money is more than a financial guide it’s a blueprint for cultivating confidence, resilience, and lifelong curiosity. A must read for classrooms, parents, and any young person ready to take charge of their financial future.

[Nanny Miss Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny Dollar is back! From the creative mind of popular award-winning author Dr. Ty Allen Jackson comes the next entry in his amazing series. "Make Your Own Money" is the quintessential manual to promote financial literacy for kids, teaching them the value of money and how to earn, save, and spend for the future.

This time around, Danny is a little older and wiser, and the reader gets a glimpse into how any young person can manage money while still having fun. The book is just the right size; it's well-organized and easy to digest. The clean and quirky artwork by Nicole Miles is beautifully spread across each section from cover to cover.

"Make Your Own Money" is a must-have for parents who want to encourage responsibility, dedication, and goal-setting to their children. It shows that it's never too early to learn how money works and how it can work for you.

[Charlie Medcalf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Make Your Own Money by Ty Allan Jackson is a book for children all about money, how you can make money and how you can start your own business all as a child. This book covers everything from Business Plans, Profits, Budgets, Bank Accounts and even the Stock Market which is great. These often quite complex topics which are not shared with children have been written in a way to help children understand the financial world around them and the importance of having money, and even more importantly, the importance of trying to save your money. This book is full of good practical advice with key concepts fully explained in standard English.

For my full book review please follow the link below- https://cembookportal.blogspot.com/20...

[Kate Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute book. The illustrations are great, and I love the graphic novel style pages! I also liked the way it simplified a business model for young people. Looking at target market, and how to make a profit. All of this was done very well and explained perfectly for a young person or someone new to business.
However, being based in the UK I found it to be irrelevant in a lot of places. A lot of the terminology was US based, and therefore redundant when reading from a UK perspective. Lots of things were not relevant or understandable over here - some parts (ie cheques) felt a little old fashioned.

I liked the premise of this book, but don't think it work for UK readership.

[Sarah Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just reviewed Make Your Own Money by Ty Allan Jackson. #MakeYourOwnMoney #NetGalley

This book focuses on how young children thru high school can make money. By investing, opening a small online business, and making smarter choices the youth of today can learn to be more financially responsible. The strategies listed in the book could be useful to anyone of any age. This is a book I wish I had access to as a teen. Learning money saving/ making techniques at a young age will better prepared children for the harsh road ahead. I will be purchasing this book for our juvenile section of the library, possibly showcasing it during a virtual program.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like students and adults are always saying they wish they had learned real life skills in school, like how to balance checkbooks and deal with money. Well this book is an answer to that need. Jackson presents financial literacy in a fun and humorous way but it's chock full of good ideas, definitions, and lessons. I learned a lot any any student who is willing to pick up this nonfiction book will too. My favorite line was about assessing needs and wants and how we are all in control of our money: "I never accidentally bought anything." By learning about money we all can be more in control of our finances.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book explains about how we can get money as much as we can, since young age. With examples of successful young entrepreneurs, we would be motivated to try the steps offered by Danny, the main character of this book. With language for kids, I can understand better the difficult terms in finance used by people with knowledge.

It might not be easy to do what Danny did, but at least you can try his methods and once you gain some money, enjoy it.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids (age 7 & 10) and I absolutely loved this book. It's fun, it reads easy, it lays out every step for kids to set a business plan. While we read it together the kids and I came up with our own business plan to sell homemade dog treats at our local farmer's market. Now I have to buy the book and follow through with our plan! Excited to get started!

[Eileen Winfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enthusiastic book for kids about many aspects of financial literacy - with the goal of encouraging kids to make their own money (just like the title says). Walks readers through what money is, how to save it and different ways to spend it and earn it. Helpful worksheets in the back.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make Your Own Money: How Kids Can Earn It, Save It, Spend It, and Dream Big, with Danny Dollar by Ty Allan Jackson is SO COOL! I love that our young students will learn *so* much about finances & entrepreneurship through this #mglit book... even as an adult it taught ME so much! 💰

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good for kids to learn about money and how to earn it. Get basics in a easy and visual way for kids to get an idea on the topic

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaching children about money can be difficult, but the graphics and jokes and ideas in this book will hold at least some of their attention. Start them young!

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

💸 It’s time to really just get this out.

[Lindsey Lawntea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, brightly illustrated guide to making and saving money for kids. It will walk kids through planning their own little business and how to get started up and then how to make smart decisions with money. This is a very useful guide for children to learn about using their creativity to make a living, but even if a child is not interested in entrepreneurship, they can still learn good skills about budgeting, creating a bank account, and deciding needs vs. wants.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.