MoneyWise Mabel's Bursting Bank

by Kalee Boisvert

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

MoneyWise Mabel’s Bursting Bank is an accessible and well illustrated children's book by Kalee Boisvert. Due out 19th Sept 2023, it's 32 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

This is a simple short book aimed at the youngest readers (~4-6 years old) written in simple text and with appealing colorful drawings. When young Mabel's piggy bank can't fit another coin, she and her mom take a trip to the bank to open a savings account together. For a simple short kids' book, it introduces some good concepts such at savings, fiscal responsibility, delaying gratification, working towards a future goal, earning and saving money, and more. 

There are some slightly odd aspects to the book. Mabel's closet is absolutely bursting with pink, frilly, "girly" clothing (and it's mentioned in the book, without context, except that she apparently has a "sea of clothes"). We're supposed to be moving away from conspicuous consumption and fast fashion, and it's an odd detail in a book about saving and fiscal responsibility. It's also a very small thing, but Mabel's mom is referred to as "momma" throughout, and it's an odd alternate spelling. 

I liked that the illustrator showed a wide variety of customers in the bank with a range of ages and ethnicities. It's also mentioned that her momma wears business suits, implying that she has a professional position at work, which is nice. Representation is important, and it's equally important for boys to understand and be comfortable with the idea of women in administrative/professional positions.

Four stars. It would make a good choice for school or public library acquisition, classroom library, or home use. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.