San Ramon Student Writes Financial Literacy Book For Kids

SAN RAMON, CA — Most young kids learn math, but not as many learn about one of its most practical real world applications: financial literacy.

Dougherty Valley High School student Maanika Thakur aimed to change that by writing “Penny’s Problems,” a children’s book teaching financial literacy.

“My interest in business and economics led me to learn essential financial skills that I assumed everyone used in daily life. But I quickly noticed that many of my peers, relatives, and even older family friends lacked this basic knowledge. Seeing this gap made me realize there needed to be a change so that future generations are better prepared for today’s challenging economic landscape,” Thakur told Patch in an email.

“I chose to write a children’s book because I strongly believe financial education should start early. Too many young adults step into independence with little to no knowledge of core financial concepts. If those ideas had been introduced in childhood, it might not be the case. Starting in elementary school gives kids the foundation to build strong financial habits later on.”

She spent about nine months creating the 34-page book, which puts them in the shoes of a young girl named Penny as she goes about her day.

“Through everyday scenarios, like buying ice cream with friends or earning money from chores, she learns about broader financial concepts such as saving and budgeting. Tying these lessons to familiar situations helps kids understand why the concepts matter and makes it more digestible for them,” Thakur said.

Since publishing it, Thakur has hosted read-aloud events at local elementary schools. At the events, she asked students what they knew about concepts like saving or budgeting. Though many did not reportedly know the terms, by the end of the story, students provided Thakur with examples of how they might use those lessons in their own lives.

The books is geared toward children age 5-11 and can be purchased here. All profits are donated to organizations supporting financial literacy initiatives, including the Jump$tart Coalition and GFLEC.