Princess Persephone Loses the Castle

Money Tales

by Sheila Bair, Manuela López (Illustrations)

"Author Bair has serious finance credentials. She is a former chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and current chair of Fannie Mae―and, now, an author of whimsical personal finance books for young children."― Booklist

An inexperienced royal learns a valuable lesson about reading the fine print. Princess Persephone was cold in her castle on freezing Ganymede. So, when Aluminum Jim came calling to sell her tin sheets to nail onto the exterior walls to keep out the cold, Persephone was only too happy to agree to a loan and sign the contract without reading it. What could she do when the tin sheets didn't work, she couldn't repay the loan, and Jim claimed the castle?

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2021

Reviews

[꧁٭ꨄ*✾➶➵➴Just Amy➴➵➶✾*ꨄ٭꧂]

We won this book in a Givereads giveaway!
Thank you so much, Sheila, for this adorable signed copy.
I read it with my first and fifth graders, and both were intrigued and also concerned with princess Perephones' decision-making. They were eager to discuss the consequences and outcomes of making rash decisions. We greatly enjoyed the illustrations and the fun cast of helpful characters (our favorite is Spice ♡).
★We'll forever read the fine print & Hold on to our castle 🏰

[Preston Cooper]

Another great installment in Sheila Bair's Money Tales series, this one follows Princess Persephone of Ganymede as she battles a loan shark and ends up getting her ice castle repossessed! (Don't worry, she gets it back.) Aimed at kids ages 5 and up, the book also contains valuable lessons for adults about avoiding scams. Complete with a friendly orange dragon (like Shakespeare's fools, usually the wisest character around), this book is proof that you're never too young to start learning about managing your money - and it can be fun.

[Scott]

Princess Persephone is written for an older audience than Bair's other books. Her castle is cold and her Dad is away. Enter Aluminum Jim, a siding salesman who offers the princess a ‘special’ offer of “ten percent off our usual price, and five percent more because you’re so nice.” No money down (of course) and 30 years to pay off the debt. Persephone signs the contract (Note: tween princesses’ can undertake contractual obligations in some fairytales). The siding is installed, but is of poor quality. Aluminum Jim is nowhere to be found, and when the first bill is delivered, a princess’ allowance is not nearly enough. NOW she reads the contract closely and discovers that she can be ( and is), evicted from her castle. Is all lost? Of course not. There is a fairytale Fairness Commission that makes the contract null and void. A strong wind removes Aluminum Jim and his shoddy siding, and the chastened princess returns home.

This book and Bair's other new title, Billy the Borrowing Blue-Footed Booby are both very funny books that transpors the reader along with the story line. Billy and Persephone are appealing characters, and by the end the young reader has learned a lot about money matters. Engaging kids at an early age in learning about finance does not have to be a fairytale!

[Jessi]

Who is this for? Did the positive reviewers ever talk to a child in their lifetime? What is happening here?
I've worked for the public library for 16 years. I've been a teaching assistant, a foster parent, a childcare provider. I have four children. I have conversations about grown up topics with kids. I literally cannot comprehend why this book was published or for whom it was written.
In my befuddlement, I took the book to several colleagues, with masters degrees in education and library science. Almost a century of combined expertise in our fields. And the only positive that anyone could verbalize is that the illustrations were nice.
There are better, more engaging, more intelligible books and resources about finances and lending for children on the market. Ones that do not involve deranged fever dreams that confusingly blend fantasy realms with reality-based terminology, visual stereotypes of money-lending crooks, baffling storylines, and muddled messages.

[Denise G.]

Princess Persephone instantly skyrocketed to the top of our household’s list of favorite latter day royals. This book is a suspenseful money tale with a happily ever after fairytale ending and a female hero saving the day.

This picture book has it all—great characters, a serious (yet amusingly presented) message about the consequences of borrowing money at high interest rates and delightful illustrations.

I will think of Princess Persephone every time I use a credit card with a 21 percent interest rate. From the pages of this delightful children’s book I will consider this very grown up question: “How are you going to pay off this purchase at the end of the month? You don’t want to lose the castle!” My daughter wants a Princess Persephone crown but is saving her cash to buy one—no credit for her purchases!

[Hannah]

I wanted to give this a 5 but it’s a very complex subject for children! I give 4 stars because I think they will be able to grasp the concept of supply and demand and price changes. However, the wizards as the central bank may cause confusion. I did like the discussion of who inflation impacts the most in the back of the book! As someone who took collegiate level economics (I’m not an expert or even close to saying good at it) I enjoyed the quick summary of Covid based inflation but I think the explanation of central banks and the control of inflation through interest rates may be too hard to grasp. Also, there are alot of moving parts to that period in our countries economy so it will be a hard subject for a reader to fully understand. Perhaps a child just needs to understand general concepts!

[Pam]

I received an electronic ARC from Albert Whitman & Company through Edelweiss+.
Readers see Princess Penelope tricked into signing a contract with absurd interest rates and fees by a conman selling siding. She wanted to be warmer in their old castle so jumped on the chance to have new siding and keep the cold out. Sadly, the siding did not work and she lost the castle. Fortunately, she knew where to go for help.
Valuable lesson introducing mortgages, loans, interest and fees. Plus, Bair emphasizes how important reading contracts is. Great discussion points for families and classes.
Further math information included at the end.

[Vic]

Another winner from Bair's Money Tales series. This one is a cautionary tale about the importance of reading contracts--and a celebration of girl power. Kids who get this fun allegorical riff on some sophisticated financial concepts will have a lasting step-up. An essential addition to your library.

[Aimée Bissonette]

Oh, my! This book is hysterical. Although illustrated (beautifully) and told in rhyme, the story is actually intended for somewhat older kids. Who knew a dire tale about mortgages, predatory loans, and the need to read contracts could be such fun? Share it with your favorite little money managers!

[Gabrielle Stoller]

So many good principles in this book but it is TOO WORDY. TOO LONG. And with it being a princess, I know people will see the title and get excited. But this is a book for school age audiences learning about finances. Do NOT expect a princess tale. LOL

[Bonnie Grover]

A kid-friendly exploration of loans, interest, debt and contracts using colorful characters and humor. A great starting point for parents and educators who want to teach financial literacy.

[Chris]

Nice story written to help children learn about financial info...you need to read the fine print.
Thanks to the author for the signed copy.