Where does money come from? What are the differences between goods and services? Such questions are answered in these series entries. Each volume presents a logical and accessible sequence of basic economic concepts. Bright, colorful photographs and simple text teach children skills such as how to create a budget and how to be responsible buyers and/or sellers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

LARSON, Jennifer S. . What Can You Do with Money?: Earning, Spending, and Saving . ISBN 978-0-7613-3910-6 . LC 2009027468. LARSON, Jennifer S. . What Is Money, Anyway?: Why Dollars and Coins Have Value . ISBN 978-0-7613-3915-1 . LC 2009027469. LARSON, Jennifer S. . Who's Buying? Who's Selling?: Understanding Consumers and Producers . ISBN 978-0-7613-3912-0 . LC 2009027460. ea vol: 32p. (Lightning Bolt Bks.Exploring Economics Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Lerner . 2010. PLB $25.26. K-Gr 2 These books offer easy-to-read introductions to the world of economics. Addressing readers as "you," Larson asks questions such as, "Did you ever get money for your birthday?" and "How do you decide what to do with your money?" (Do I Need It?). The everyday-life examples will demonstrate to children that they can play a vital role in the economic world. Clear, age-appropriate language explains new concepts well: "When someone works at a paid job, he or she earns money. This money is called income." Simple paragraphs of two to four short sentences appear in large colored fonts against bright backgrounds that change color with every page. Each title includes an activity such as making a spend-or-save list to help decide what to do with birthday money. The books' layout is interesting and fresh, and each page features a large, well-chosen photograph with a boxed caption. A caption in What Is Money, Anyway? states that "People trade goods at swap meets," which may confuse readers who only know swap meets as a place to buy merchandise. Margaret Hall's "Earning, Saving, Spending" series (Heinemann, 2008) covers similar topics of money, banks, allowance, credit cards, and checks, but is for first through third graders. Report writers will value her longer paragraphs with detailed coverage including history and global issues. Larson's books will help ease younger readers into the world of economics. June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA