"Cat in the Hat," may be more engaging than personal finance discussions, but you certainly can't retire on green eggs and ham. Here are five children's books that are both fun to read and promote financial literacy:

"Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday"

This story by Judith Viorst is great for readers ages 4 and up. In the book, Alexander's grandparents give him a dollar, making him feel rich. However, that money begins to disappear rather quickly as Alexander's spending is chronicled cent-by-cent. This book emphasizes saving over spending, involves adding and subtracting and has engaging illustrations that keep even the youngest reader engaged.

"The Berenstain Bears' Trouble With Money"

This book tackles the topic of money for ages 4 and up. Brother and Sister Bear need coins to play the Astro Bear video game, so they find different ways to work for the money. The story highlights the importance of separating needs from wants and appreciating the value of a hard-earned dollar. This book was published in the 1980s, the lessons remain timeless.

"Bunny money"

This children's book by Rosemary Wells is great for ages 3 and up. As Max and Ruby hunt for the perfect gift for Grandma's birthday, they are challenged with staying within budget while encountering a host of surprises. If you know little ones who are fans of the Max and Ruby series, this story chock-full of bunnies teaches a thing or two about spending and saving money.

"A Dollar for Penny"

Penny is a budding entrepreneur who starts her own lemonade stand. As Penny earns her way to an entire dollar, readers learn about various coin values and basic mathematical concepts. This book by Julie Glass is good for ages 8 and up, is written in rhyme, and features impressive watercolor illustrations that kids and adults will both enjoy.

"Growing money: A complete investing guide for kids"

This book by Gail Karlitz, great for children ages 8 and up, explains the principles of investing in a way youngsters can understand; young readers will learn about compound interest, bonds, mutual funds and even how to read the finance section of a newspaper. Targeted to children, adults just might learn just as much while reading along.

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