Money Magic for Kids Discussion Guide for Families, Classrooms and Homeschool Groups

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In Money Magic for Kids: The Ultimate Financial Adventure (by Oliver Mark, ages 7 to 12), kids join Timmy the Money Wizard and his sidekick Drago the Banker on a quest through Moneyland. The book covers earning, saving, spending wisely, giving generously, budgeting and spotting scams, with quizzes, fill-in-the-blank activities and hands-on projects. Use these questions after a chapter or at the end of the book.

Questions for kids

1. Timmy is a Money Wizard. If you could have one money "superpower," what would it be and why?
2. Earning: What are some ways kids your age can earn money? Which one sounds most fun to you?
3. Saving: What is something you would like to save up for? How could you figure out how long it would take?
4. Spending wisely: What is the difference between a need and a want? Name two of each.
5. Giving: Who is a person, group or cause you would like to help? What could you give besides money?
6. Budgeting: If someone gave you $10, how would you split it between saving, spending and giving?
7. Spotting scams: What makes an offer sound "too good to be true"? What should you do if someone online asks you for money or a password?
8. Drago is a banker. What do you think a bank does with the money people keep there?
9. Which quiz, activity or project in the book did you like best, and what did it teach you?

Questions for parents, grandparents and teachers

1. What is one money lesson you wish you had learned at your child's age? How could you share it this week?
2. Which topic in the book (earning, saving, spending, giving, budgeting or scams) does your child find easiest? Which one needs more practice?
3. How can you keep the conversation going after the book, for example with an allowance, chores, or a savings goal?

Extension activities (from this guide, not from the book)

• Three-jar challenge: label jars Save, Spend and Give, and divide any money your child earns or receives for a month. Talk about the results together.
• Needs vs. wants sort: cut pictures from a store flyer and sort them into needs and wants. Discuss any items that could go either way.
• Scam spotter role-play: one person reads a pretend "offer" ("You won a prize! Just send $5") and the others decide whether it is safe and what to do.
• Savings goal chart: pick a goal, draw a thermometer chart, and color it in as savings grow.

Questions or a group reading this book? Email markoliverauthor@gmail.com.