Start Saving, Henry!

Henry

by Nancy Carlson

Start Saving, Henry! Henry is finally old enough to get an allowance, but when he finds something he really wants, he discovers that saving money can be more difficult--and more rewarding--than he ever imagined. Full color. Full description

Genres: Picture Books, Money, Childrens, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2009

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to help teach children about the concept of savings and how allowances work. Henry wants a "Super Robot Dude" but doesn't have the $30 it costs. Since he gets $5 in allowance money each week, how long will it take? If he spends some of his allowance money along the way, how much longer will it take? It's a lesson in financial planning and delayed gratification. I especially like that it's focused on younger children. It's never to early to start teaching fiscal responsibility.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Medicore picture book about Henry saving up for a toy...completely ruined when Grandma buys it for him so he doesn't have to spend his money on it! What the heck? If this was some excellent work of literature, then whatever, but this is only a book you would read in an attempt to teach kids about saving money. Except the lesson they will learn is don't bother saving your allowance, Grandma will buy you whatever you want. Sheesh.

[Jess Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Henry and his struggle with spending money. Henry would get his weekly allowance and he would just spend all of it up so quickly. When Henry really wanted the super robot dude toy, he begged his mom to get it. She told him he had to start saving up to get it. He tried, but sometimes he would give in, or money needed to be spent on necessary expenses. Eventually after he had enough money, his grandma ended up buying the toy for him. But Henry decided to take everyone out for ice cream and then start to save the rest for a new toy he had his eye on. I really liked this book. My mother in law recommended it to me, as she is teaching her preschoolers about money and she got this book from the library since it went with her theme. I really liked this book and I would add it to my personal library because it teaches kids a valuable lesson in saving money. I think that kids would really like this story because some of them might also get an allowance and it is important for them to know that saving is a good habit to build. I would again add this book to my library because the moral and value of the story is so great.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry learns the value of saving for items you want and how difficult it can be.
Carlson keeps the language simple for younger readers. The lesson is for all ages however.
The illustrations offer further detail and support for the story.

[Andrea Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

allowance saving money book

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like there were mixed messages about money that were confusing and counterproductive.

[Sarah Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal Reaction: This book introduces the concept of saving and budgeting money, which is excellent for children to start thinking about. Additionally, basic math concepts are relevant in the story. I began to be introduced to these concepts in second grade and it was very beneficial.

Purposes
-read aloud for enrichment: It would be fun for the students to follow along and keep track of everything Henry bought, keeping his goal amount in mind. They could relate to similar challenges they face when trying to save money with so many ads targeted toward them and always wanting new things. They would begin to understand a concept their parents are always thinking about (budgeting money) and perhaps gain a new appreciation for things that are bought for them.
-read aloud for curricular purposes: This would be an excellent tool for math class. I would have students keep a checkbook with them and read the story slowly as they fill out their checkbooks, filling out Henry's purchases or gains. The students would practice their addition and subtraction skills, while keeping the concept of budgeting in mind.

Age level
-I would target this book to 2nd grade students. They would understand budgeting by keeping track of purchases and savings. Also, they would have the skills necessary to practice addition and subtraction with money.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: this rating does NOT relect my feelings towards the illustration of this horrid mouse. I find him repulsive for some reason and just looking at him makes me want to vomit. I'm going to leave that part out of the rating because if you stuck another character in the book would be just fine. Ugh.... who decided on the furry frisbees for ears? And the legs - double ugh.....
Anyway, the text is great for an older toddler and younger child. Any child who is learning about saving their money and buying things on their own may be able to get something from this.
I'm not going to go through the story - it's fairly predictable.
I do need to steer Julia away from these books on all future library trips though.

[Leanne Feathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book in the fact that Henry had to start saving and that his mom was not going to buy everything for him. It is a good reminder for kids to show them that their parents are not going to buy everything they want and if they want something, then they are going to have to earn the money and save it. It shows that you can buy things with your money, but to have a budget or a plan for how you are going to get the thing you want.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades k-2
--Henry does chores and gets an allowance, but he spends it as soon as he earns it.
--Wants an expensive Super Robot Dude and parents tell him to save
--Tries saving, but he buys a comic book, pays a library fine, buys a birthday present for someone—no matter how much he saves he never seems to have enough.
--Good book to discuss budgeting and priorities.

[Yellowpagesgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Counting by 5's was pretty much over the head of my three year old kid but that was not the book's fault! From this book my kid and I learned a little bit about chores, allowances and saving for something you want, and also got some reinforcement about being nice first.

[Johncady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great children's book about the value of saving money. This is a lesson all children need to learn and many don't even as adults, I would recommend this to anyone wanting to give their child a good example of being responsible with money.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good teaching book for children about the struggle it is sometimes to save money for something that someone really wants right now. The artwork is bright and colorful and the dialogue is easy to understand for smaller children.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carlson is starting to skate perilously close to the sort of morality fables we endure from the Berenstains.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something something responsibility... saving and counting...Henry makes me bored.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a good introduction to the idea of saving money. My 4 yr old has decided (I'm not sure whether related to reading this or not) that he's saving for a car now...

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really piqued Zack's interest - especially since he started earning an allowance for chores this year. Go, Super Robot Dude! :)

[Laci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with an excellent definition of saving. I am using in unit plan.

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

"sequel, saving, money"