Just Saving My Money

Little Critter

by Mercer Mayer

Join Mercer Mayer’s classic and beloved character, Little Critter ® as he learns about it what it means to save money. Little Critter works hard for his money! When Little Critter wants a new skateboard, Dad tells him that he needs to save his own money to buy it! He tries his very best, but soon finds that saving enough for what he wants isn't so easy. Just Saving My Money is a My First I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for shared reading with a child.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Money, Fiction, 1st Grade

32 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

Mercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.

Reviews

[Talk Money with Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview: Little Critter wants a new skateboard but doesn't quite have the money needed to buy it. So, he embarks on a job-filled journey which sees him opening a bank account and ultimately purchasing a prized toy (but is it a skateboard?).

Favorite thing about the book: As an "I Can Read Book" at the "My First" level, this book is designed for new readers and their parents to enjoy together. Because the focus is on learning to read, this book may offer a lower-stakes opportunity for parents to initiate conversations about money with their children. The familiar characters may also encourage children to remain engaged and make connections across books, which is always a good exercise.

More info: A few of my friends with young children recommended I check out this book, and I'm glad I did. Because the book is designed for new readers, the text itself leaves a bit to be desired (which is not surprising at all). However, this might be a strength of the book. Parents and children can easily use the text as a starting point for future conversations. Additionally, the twist at the end allows for parents and children to talk about times they've changed their minds and why, especially in the context of spending and saving.

In short: This could be a fun book to get the money conversations started!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book to show children the importance of saving money for something you want. And how to do chores to earn the money. Little critter wanted a new skateboard so his dad helped him take the money he had already saved and started a savings account at their bank. Then he did more chores to earn the rest of the money. A good book.

[Heather H. Pogson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute!

A bit short but still a cute story. The pictures are beautifully drawn and full of detail. I'm looking forward to adding more Little Critter books to my library. For the kiddos. Not me. Um, yeah...

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are interesting books.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always looking for new books to teach kids about money. My love of Little Critter just made this that much better.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Q

[IUS-F19 Bryce Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story that explains how to save money and what we can get with out money. Shows that chores are important to help out.

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the introduction of a savings account and doing chores to get money.

[Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2021
Gift from Harper's grandmother

Nothing wrong with this story, but we don't plan on giving Harper money for doing chores, so I'm not sure I want to read her a book about that

[Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like that Little Critters has made a book that's about saving up money.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it- supports what we're presently teaching our kids.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending is exactly right!

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. 12 month old picked this out at Costco.

[Kate Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this author and his illustrations since I was a kid, and now I get to read his stories to my kids. I love that his stories can grow with them teaching important lessons in fun ways.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good preschool and up book about a boy wanting a new skateboard and trying to save enough money to get one.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: "When Little Critter® wants a new skateboard, Dad tells him that he needs to save his own money to buy it! From feeding the dog to selling lemonade, Little Critter learns the value of a dollar."

My Review: This is a good beginning reader, it feels a little advanced for early readers to attempt on their own. It would be great to read together anyway as it will spark conversations about money, chores and costs of things. The time that they will be ready to read this book is a great time to start talking about saving money for things they want.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Mercer Mayer book that all my kids enjoyed. My 5 yr old just adores Mayer and requests her books constantly. I read them at the breakfast or lunch table and even my 3 yr old twins get into them. We love trying to find the mouse and spider that seems to follow the main character around, they’re always doing silly things. Fun engaging themes that any child can relate to, a great addition to any children's library.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 4 out of 5]

My First Shared Reading

We had a lot of fun "eewwwing" at the mouse and spider on each page. We also enjoyed seeing the light switches and other details in the scenery. I thought it was pretty cool that Little Critter got to save up his money to open a bank account then had to work to save up more money to get the item he wanted.

[Gaby Roman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book would be a great way to introduce money and how saving money is important. It would be great to show children that saving money is a good thing. I would have kids price the items though out the story. At the end when I have finished the story, I would have the whole class count the amount of money they have priced.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My six-year-old was very interested in this book, and interest is probably the biggest hurdle to getting him to read. Also, there are not too many words on a page (and too many words is probably our second biggest hurdle). All in all, it was perfect for him.

[Shannon Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accurate in the eyes of a kid.

Very accurate in the eyes of a kid.

This is very believable and my kids can relate to it. I like how it shows the critter doing work and not getting what he wants the first or second time he asks.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Critter works hard to save money for the toy he wants.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to introduce saving to kids. The trip to the bank is probably out-of-date now (wish they could update it to show critter checking his balance on-line!).

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little picture book for ages 0-3 to listen to with the wonderful wording and the awesome illustrations.

[Katie]

IIII

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the theme of this story and my daughter loves any book with lil critter. A nice beginning read for early readers with a good book to talk about theme and saving money.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about saving up money to buy a toy.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan summer reading 2016, children's book, leveled reader, easy reader, series, little critter, i can read my first shared reading, money, saving, first grade, second grade,

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in School Starter Kit