SOLVED. Children's/Educational Picture book. Rice is currency on an island - economic system develops. [s]

[Catherine]

Book with both words and pictures/sketches. Read around 2004, possibly an older book, possibly inspired a related educational TV series. Read in a 5th grade enrichment class to teach introductory economic themes.

Story about a group of people living on an island who develop an economic system - eventually begin using rice as currency. Then pests/other issues destroy the crops, causing the economy to evolve beyond rice.

[Kris]

Catherine, is this a picture book (approx. 32-48 pages) or kids chapter book?

[Catherine]

Hi Kris! It's a picture book I believe. Definitely not a chapter book.

[Kris]

Can you describe the illustrations - e.g., simple or detailed, realistic or cartoon-like, painted watercolors or bold graphics, bright or dark colors? Do they remind you of a similar illustrator or picture book author?

[Catherine]

Unfortunately, I don't recall.

[Paige]

All I can think of is Life on Paradise Island

http://warmke.com/warmke/wp-content/u...

[Catherine]

Paige - you did it!!! Thank you so much! Now just to find a copy...

[Paige]

Yay! Glad I could help.

[Kris]

Good find, Paige. How did you track down this unusual book?