NEW BOOK INSPIRES NEXT GENERATION OF MONEY SMART KIDS
We all have dreams. While working hard to achieve these dreams, we make many financial decisions along the way that impact us and our children. What kind of example do we set when we make these financial decisions? Our children are watching and learning. But without context and understanding, their financial learning remains incomplete. Hence, money conversations with our kids should start early and happen often.
The new book, Liktoon’s Boat, by new mom and financial professional, Radha Rai, co-authored by her husband, Abhijit Rai, is not only a magical adventure filled with colorful illustrations – it’s also a fun introduction to concepts like earning and saving money for a goal.
Liktoon lives in a small village called Kindleberry, which is in a magical world. His greatest wish is to explore the ocean, discover new islands, find hidden treasures and meet new people and magical creatures. But he must find the means to achieve his dreams. Liktoon has dreams of exploring the ocean, but he doesn’t have a boat. With the help of his friends, after some tough challenges, he sets out to make his dream come true. Each enchantingly illustrated page focuses on actions, decisions and emotions that Liktoon goes through in the process of achieving his lifelong goal.
“As a financial professional, I saw a gap in the market for a children’s book that opens up dialogue to develop the next generation of money-smart kids,” says Rai. “Liktoon’s Boat is our first book in the financial literacy series, Liktoon and Ge’s Adventures.”
With charming illustrations accenting the story’s vibrant verse, Liktoon’s Boat, is written in language suitable for and readable by young children; parents, caregivers and teachers can read this book to children now, and in a year or two children will able to read it themselves. Rai hopes to keep her readers imagining wondrous dreams and ways to make them happen all year long and, who knows, with some hard work and innovation, the dreams might come true!
“Liktoon’s Boat focuses on a simple storyline that is easy to follow for children and it introduces them to important money concepts like earning and saving,” explains Rai. “I envisioned Liktoon’s Boat as the first in a series of books that will introduce children to various money related concepts in a simple, fun way.”
Liktoon’s Boat includes the following themes:
- The magic of storytelling
- The power of friendship
- That helping others feels good
- Simple addition and subtraction
- The concept of saving for the future
- Discovering valuable new skills
- Delayed gratification, perseverance and teamwork
- Business principles such as entrepreneurship, profits and expenses
- How teamwork and perseverance can help overcome life’s hurdles
The story lends itself to discussion and engages your imagination. Dreams are especially magical especially in an enchanted and peaceful place like Kindleberry. Do you know what your children’s wishes and dreams are? What might they be interested in saving for? Do they get an allowance? Are they allowed to spend it, or do they save some? How does the story make you feel about your child’s understanding of finances?
“Setting goals is step one to achieving them,” adds Rai. “By earning and saving money, difficult financial goals can be achieved. Teamwork and perseverance can help overcome life’s hurdles.”
Radha Rai is first and foremost a brand new mom! She is also a financial professional, community volunteer, author and entrepreneur, having earned her MBA from The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. She was born in Bihar, India where the illiteracy rate is very high amongst girls. She had to go against the societal grain to get herself and her younger siblings educated. Radha continues to be very passionate about promoting other women and girls. In fact, she recently combined her two passions, finance and literacy, to publish a new book, Liktoon’s Boat, with help from her husband, Abhijit. Liktoon’s Boat is an endearing and educational book to help promote financial literacy among children.
For more information on Liktoon’s Boat visit Liktoon.com, or visit Rai’s blog at Missfingy.com/. Liktoon’s Boat is available at Amazon as well as other fine booksellers.