We know, talking finances with kids doesn’t usually rank high on a parent’s list of highlights. Moneybunnies may just be able to help you out with that, however.

This week we are joined by Cinders Mcleod, cartoonist, illustrator and author extraordinaire. She taught herself everything she knows about finances during her decades-long career with publications all over the world (even making it into the Guiness Book of World Records!). In recent years, she has been sharing her hard-earned wisdom with the world through her illustrated picture book series, Moneybunnies, which are wonderfully imaginative and a wonderful way to start conversations about money and finances with children.

In this episode we talk about:

1. Moneybunnies! Cinders grew up not really talking about money in her home, so she began wondering and pondering on it from a very early age. Her ponderings came into play during the 2007-08 financial crisis, when more people were concerned about teaching kids about money, and she decided to turn them into a series of books to help kids navigate the world of money.

“I left my newspaper to focus on a series of books that could help kids navigate the world of money, because I wanted to write the books that I really could have done with when I was a kid.”

2. The individual books in the series and what they are all about. 

3. The universality of the books- Cinders created her own world to set the books in, a bunny world, so that children all over the world can understand and relate to the stories and, by extension, the principles they teach.

“My intention isn’t to tell parents how to do it, but to get the conversation started.”

4. Some thoughts and tips on actually starting conversations about money with children and specifics about how the Moneybunnies books and other resources Cinders has on her website can play a part in the conversations.

5. Cinders shared some feedback she has received from people who have read and used her books.

“I wanted through my social comment cartoons to help the world, but I think fate directed me to something probably more important, which is helping children get a good start at having better lives…if I can do that, that’s pretty magic!”

6. How the humor and very approachable illustration in the books make them very palatable to both children and adults, which came from both her background as a cartoonist as well as her experiences with her own children.

7. Possibilities of starting conversations with your kids when you as the parent or adult might need to instigate them rather than waiting for your children to come to you and ask the questions.

“I’m really proud of what I learned in my life because I had to, and if I can share [those] little things I learned with children, then maybe I can help them skip a few steps!”

8. We wrapped up by taking advantage of chatting with a cartoonist to get her thoughts on cartoons and especially cartoon books.

In “Show Me the Money…Bunnies! Talking Finances with Kids ” we mention:

We are so grateful to Cinders for taking the time to talk with us! More information about her, her books, and the Moneybunnies’ world can be found in the following places:

Websites: 

https://www.moneybunnies.com

Books we mentioned:

Earn It by Cinders McCleod

Spend It! by Cinders McCleod

Save It! by Cinders McCleod

Give it by Cinders McLeod is now available!

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Want to be sure your child understands Difficult concepts related to financial literacy? Listen to our episode with Sydnie Brinkerhoff, The Development of Language.