It's Not What You've Got

by Wayne W. Dyer, Stacy Heller Budnick (Illustrator), Kristina Tracy (Contributor)

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, the internationally best-selling author and lecturer, has written a new book in his series of inspirational books for kids. You're Not What You've Got addresses the topics of money and abundance, with the understanding that children’s earliest thoughts and perceptions about money are those that will last throughout their lives.The concepts presented in this beautifully illustrated book Money does not define who you are; it doesn't matter what others have, and abundance comes in many forms. Unlike most books on this subject, You,re Not What You've Got is not a how-to manual on spending and saving for kids, but rather a positive, spiritual approach to the meaning of money.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Parenting, Picture Books, Money, Self Help, Self Esteem

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Wayne Walter Dyer was an American self-help author and a motivational speaker. Dyer earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Philosophy, a Master’s degree in Psychology and an Ed.D. in Guidance and Counseling at Wayne State University in 1970. Early in his career, he worked as a high school guidance counselor, and went on to run a successful private therapy practice. He became a popular professor of counselor education at St. John's University, where he was approached by a literary agent to put his ideas into book form. The result was his first book, Your Erroneous Zones (1976), one of the best-selling books of all time, with an estimated 100 million copies sold. This launched Dyer's career as a motivational speaker and self-help author, during which he published 20 more best-selling books and produced a number of popular specials for PBS. Influenced by thinkers such as Abraham H. Maslow and Albert Ellis, Dyer's early work focused on psychological themes such as motivation, self actualization and assertiveness. By the 1990s, the focus of his work had shifted to spirituality. Inspired by Swami Muktananda and New Thought, he promoted themes such as the "power of intention," collaborated with alternative medicine advocate Deepak Chopra on a number of projects, and was a frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Reviews

[Giobana Garcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected for the price.

The ideas are good but there are just not enough of them. I consider the price to be quite high for what you get. It was fun to read but sadly nothing that you cannot find online for free.

[Jennifer Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for a while, purchased in an attempt to ensure my children (boys ages 9 & 10) weren’t entitled or greedy. They’ve both brought up times in the past where they’ve felt jealous of friends or over emphasized the importance of money. I know this kind of behaviour is normal for children and doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll grow up be selfish adults.

We finally read this book a few times as part of their home schooling during Covid-19 social distancing. Twice a day for my 9 year old who needs to practice his reading.

The questions at the end of the book reinforce the learning of the concepts and help you understand as a parent, how your child feels about certain issues.

Definitely worth a read!

[Toofan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Highly Overpriced. You are paying for pictures and fillers, the real content won't even fill half a page.

Even though most of the presented concepts are worth knowing, their presentation is rather boring for a great number of kids. Not to mention that the questions and answers at the end were useless fillers.

[Jess Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great lessons about money

These are great lessons about money and abundance. I wished someone had taught them to me when I was a child AKA little kid. It would have really helped. It's a good thing authors like this are teaching kids now how to manage money in fun and easy ways to learn.

[Slow Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best things in life are always free. Look them up coz they are not hard to find.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to learn about money and abundance.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little book to read with your child and talk about those subjects.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The theme presented in this book states that money does not define who you are. It teaches a great lesson that it doesn't matter what others have because abundance comes in many forms. Unlike most books that address difference, this story does not focus on the physical attributions of people but rather a positive, spiritual approach to the meaning of money. Money or the different levels of social economical status often create levels of separation and discrimination in which children may feel different. As teachers, I think that it is important for our students to understand that just as physical differences do not matter, how much money one may possess does not matter as well.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a new genre for me but I have a feeling I should start reading children's books. Eventually, someone will take me up on my offer to babysit and I can't bring myself to read any of the horrific German books I was read as a child. (Albert goes to the zoo...and gets eaten by a Lion??) Anyway, this one sends a nice message about the evils of consumerism without actually discussing evil...or really even consumerism. And any book that makes me feel good about not having a Blackberry or a Suburu is good, good, good. (I suspect it will be awhile before I review another Children's book.)

[Sheniece · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that I believe all student should hear. I would start with students in the 3rd grade because they will be at a stage where they can understand it more and work its way up through the higher grades.
1. Teaches children to be content with what they have and don't try to measure happiness by how much money or things they have.
2. There are discussion questions provided in the back to help guide a discussion about this story.
3. It list 10 lessons about money and abundance for kids to know.

[Takishia Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to present to students to build self-esteem. This books allows for the teacher to expose to children that money does not create the individual that you are. It also allows for the teacher to build a community within the classroom where students are not focusing on the material things that other students have.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming text addresses the concept of "lessons for kids on money and abundance" Topics include: "You're not what you've got", "Every job is important", "Money does not create happiness", and "Live within your means". Questions in the back of the book gives the opportunity for discussions with students about these topics.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the world economy the way it is today. This is a great book to teach kids about budgeting and what's really important.
Stuff isn't important, people are. We don't need things, we need to be nice and be charitable.

[Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and motivating book in a rhyming verses ,teaching children that money isn't everything and the best things in life are free and there's Abundance in life to be ,do or have anything you want ,creative self-help book .it's great to simplify such big concepts for children in this way .

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was a kid's book about money - and as such was palatable, but not what I was expecting for my teenager! LOL

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for kids about money, material things, and giving. Even my 4 year old was asking to read it again and again!

[Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to teach our kids about money. The author made some really good points, and we had a good family discussion about money.

[Ursula S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good principles and artwork. The rhymes were a little weak, but the book has a positive message.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good messages, ok book.