Isabel's Car Wa$h

Money Tales

by Sheila Bair

The Nelly Longhair doll, the object of Isabel's desire, is on sale at Murphy's Toys for ten dollars. But Isabel has only fifty cents.

Isabel decides to start a car wash business; she's sure she can make money. But at the hardware store she learns that her supplies will cost five dollars! She thinks long and hard and comes up with a plan. If five of her friends will give her one dollar each, she'll have enough. She tells her friends she'll work very hard and believes she'll be able to pay them back, plus extra. Her friends agree. Will Isabel be able pay them back and have enough left over for the Nelly doll?

This clever story is sure to get kids thinking about how people invest in businesses.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Economics, Money

32 pages, Library Binding

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bair weaves math into this story about Isabel wanting a new doll. She raises the money to purchase it by convincing her friends to each invest in her car washing business. Readers see her offer interest on the investment. They also learn about setting prices as Isabel sets her price too low ($1.00 per vehicle) and works hard to earn $20. They see the division as she splits the money among her five friends and keeps her half. Bair slips in one last math lesson with a brief mention of sales tax near the end. The story works but is starting to feel a bit dated. Informative text is included at the end of the book to explain the math involved.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

(there is not a kindle option here on Goodreads, i see only paperback or hardcover? love reading through my kindle. fun times!!) i am an Elizabeth ... when in Spanish class for 4 years ... Isabel was my name ... loved that. i have seen my Spanish teacher several times ... and she always calls me that ... never my real nickname "Beth" ... so that is fun. great book, love the illustrations. i love car washes ... really as a kid ... such like u were going to Mars ... Venus or Jupiter or Saturn ... dreams are awesome. so creative and fun!! must read.

[Emma Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl who wants to buy a toy but doesn't have enough money. The story teaches about working hard and also deals with counting and investing money. It could definitely be incorporated into a math lesson.

Lexile:
Guided Reading:
Trait: Ideas

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about financial literacy. One of the stronger ones more appropriate for 3rd grade.

[Acton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabel's Car Wash tells the story of a girl who uses creativity, courage, and hard work to start her own car wash. Isabel needs to make money in order to buy a doll she really wants. She doesn't have the money to buy the supplies she needs for the car wash, so she comes up with the creative and possibly risky solution of borrowing money from her friends with a promise to pay them back. On the day of the car wash, she sets a bargain price and works very hard, and her business is a success! We thought this story was a great example of how people need courage to take the risk to start a business, but the reward can be great.

[Christina Scullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is cute because this little girl wants a doll, but she doesn't have enough money. She decided to start a car wash, but she realized she didn't have enough money for the supplies. She decided to borrow one dollar from each of her 5 friends for it. She started her car wash and charged $1.00 per car. She made $20.00. She gave each of her friends $2.00, so she was left with 10 to buy her doll. When she went to the store, it was $10.50 and they told her that it was because of tax. I think this is a good book for responsibility.

[Chak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to read your kid in a down economy, especially if you have to rely on them to start bringing home the bacon. Written by Sheila Bair, former Chairman of the FDIC, Professor of Finanance, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasure and Senior VP of the NYSE, this book teaches kids the fundamentals of investing and growing a business! Yeah, really!

[Jack Cheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, by THAT Sheila Bair, who recently stepped down as chair of the FDIC. This book is about a girl who wants to buy a doll so she decides to wash cars to make money. But she needs to buy supplies so she convinces five friends to invest a dollar each in her business.

Told simply and clearly, this is a neat way for kids to understand basic principles of capitalism. Also, the story is cute.

[Andrea Labonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good way to learn how to make money.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for teaching shares of stock and profit and such. Cute story with an endearing main character.

[Laura Haske · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child's introduction to profit sharing and entrepreneurship.

[Tammy Flanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty didactic but illustrates point well enough.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been looking for a book for young students about earning money. This one's not bad ... a little wordy for kindergarten, but would probably work for 1st and 2nd grade.

[Christine Turner]

The doll Isabel wants costs more than the money she has. She decides to start a car wash business to make money. But at the hardware store she learns that her supplies will cost five dollars! She thinks long and hard and comes up with a plan.

Subject: Car washes -- Juvenile fiction.
Money-making projects for children -- Juvenile fiction.
Business enterprises -- Juvenile fiction.