Learn how moneylending grew into today's banking industry, and how credit allows us to spend money we don't even have.

This series takes readers (Ages 8-12) on a historical journey, examining how people coped in the past and how they developed ingenious ways to make life safer and less unpleasant. Each book features full-color cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious speech bubbles to heighten interest, making the series attractive even to reluctant readers.None of us has as much money as we would like, but imagine if money didn't exist at all. How would we buy the things we need, or sell the things we don't need? Who would decide whether a basket of fruit is worth the same as a hunting spear? Many things have been used as money, from live animals through cowrie shells to plastic cards.