By Jill McDonough
While there are many how-to books out there for kid entrepreneurs, I believe it is more important (and more fun) to read stories about kid entrepreneurs, even in preschool through second grade. The brain processes a story in the same way it processes a real-life experience. Consequently, this makes learning through literature go deeper into our memory than a textbook-type book for kids.
And yes, preschool through second grade is a fantastic period in a child’s life to start them thinking about being a kid entrepreneur.
Why do we want our kids to have an entrepreneurial side? The way to make money and be successful is rapidly changing. Kids are naturally adventurous, creative, and not afraid of something failing. Strengthening these characteristics at a young age will help them see that they don’t have to join the hamster-wheel-lifestyle. Conversely, they can chart their own course in life. Therefore, developing an entrepreneurial understanding through stories will allow them to be successful in the future no matter what their pursuit is.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these books about kid entrepreneurs and highly recommend them to get kids started on the journey of entrepreneurship.
Kid Entrepreneur Story #1:
Camila’s Lemonade Stand (MyCareerLauncher Pre-K Career Guides) (Volume 1) by Lizzy Duncan
This book is perfect for preschool imaginations! Camila is one of seven kids in the Career Launcher Crew. When she realizes she has no money for the Ferris wheel, she is given the advice to start a business. What happens when Jaden opens a competing cookie stall? And will rain ruin their business?
As readers learn about Camila’s first business journey, they have the chance to learn about solving problems, working together, and basic business concepts. The MyCareerLauncher Pre-K Career Guides plant the seeds for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
40 pages. Ages 4 – 5. Book 1 of 6. Colorful, cute, and many ethnicities represented.
Kid Entrepreneur Story #2
How to Sell a Rock by J.K. Coy
What a cute little picture book with a great message for kid entrepreneurs! Sebastian wants a skateboard but his parents tell him it is too expensive. They encourage him to earn the money.
Sebastian faces the problem all young kid entrepreneurs face…”How can I make money? I’m just a kid!”
This book is short and simple enough to hold a young child’s attention. It realistically shows entrepreneurial concepts such as trying and failing, coming up with a sales pitch, grit, and confidence.
Therefore, if you have a child constantly coming up with creative ideas, this book is a must for them to turn those ideas into a profitable side hustle.
32 pages. Preschool thru 2nd grade. Perfect introductory book to the world of entrepreneurship.
Kid Entrepreneur Story #3:
Craftily Ever After: Breaking the Piggy Bank by Martha Maker
Here is another great book about kid entrepreneurs! Four friends have been so hard at work in their craft studio that they are almost out of craft supplies. It’s time to stock up but they will need money. In order to purchase craft supplies, the friends decide to combine their skills and use the last of their allowance to create their very own business: a lemonade stand! But not just any lemonade, they will sell agua fresca. See how the kids overcome making a drink that does not taste right at first, having almost no customers, as well as deciding what to do with profits.
128 pages. Ages 5 – 9. Book 6 of 8. Great illustrations on almost every page, promotes girls in business (without putting down boys), Mexican culture, teamwork, charity, and finding solutions when problems arise.
Kid Entrepreneur Story #4:
Ethan’s Big Business Plan by Yu-Ting Hung
Like so many kids, Ethan wanted to buy a new toy, but his parents said he will have to earn his own money to purchase it. This made him decide to start his own business.
I absolutely love how this book inspires future entrepreneurs and teaches them how to start a business step by step. Within an easy-to-follow story, this book shows how to create a product or service (not just a lemonade stand), develop a brand, build marketing strategies, interact with and sell products to strangers, and manage money.
This well-illustrated picture book also includes doing simple math. Lastly, it is wonderful that it shows how the business has some hurdles at the beginning.
43 pages. Ages 4 – 8. Excellent flow to the writing, wonderful pictures, will inspire your kids immediately.
Kid Entrepreneur Story #5:
Lemonade in Winter by Emily Jenkins
What’s one of the first rules of creating a product? Give the people what they want, and when they want it. Timing is everything. As in, who wants to buy a cup of icy lemonade in winter, when these two kids decide to open up their lemonade stand?
This is a fun twist on an old favorite kidpreneur idea, the lemonade stand. There are so many teaching ideas within this book.
First of all, this is great book to introduce the topic of coin counting. There is a section in the back of the book that talks about the different (American) coins and what they are worth. This book focuses mainly on the quarter and how it revolves around the dollar.
This book also teaches both addition and subtraction through the purchasing of the supplies, counting up how many cups are sold, and calculating the total at the end. You can have your kids work out the math after each sale.
Second, as the plot evolves, Pauline is driven to try different ideas to make a sale. Each method can be discussed. Were they wise moves? Did they increase sales?
Third, it teaches kids how to push through rejection and get creative when things aren’t working.
Fourth, another entrepreneur reality these two kids learn the hard way is that you don’t make a profit if you spend as much money to make the product as you bring in selling the product.
Spoiler alert: this is not a successful business in the monetary sense, but it was very successful in the lessons learned. And for that reason, it is such a great book.
40 pages. Ages 3 -7. The writing is fun to read out loud. The illustrations are fun with surprising details.
Bonus!
Scholastic has created a Lemonade in Winter DVD to go along with this book. Imagine a fun math/entrepreneur day where you read the book then watch the DVD together with an icy glass of lemonade (hopefully in winter!)
Kid Entrepreneur Story #6:
How the Second Grade Got $8,205.50 to Visit the Statue of Liberty by Nathan Zimmelman
This hilarious picture book written in the form of a treasurer’s report, details failures and successes of a second grade class trying to raise money for a trip to the Statue of Liberty. This book highlights various collaborative projects that can generate cash. Your children can work collaboratively with their siblings or with their friends.
This book is also great in highlighting working hard for a goal and that you often have to spend money you have earned in order to keep making money.
32 pages. Perfect for 2nd Graders! At first, the way this book is written in treasurer report form might be odd for some kids. However, it quickly becomes easy to understand. As a result, you clearly can see the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Kid Entrepreneur Story #7:
Sebastian Creates a Sock Company by Erica Swallow
Five year old Sebastian loves colorful and fun socks, but he has a problem. Wearing them is against his school’s dress code. Sebastian, with the help of his older brother, Brandon, sees this problem as an opportunity. Thanks to the hard work and the loving support of his family, he turns his love of socks into a business. In addition, the brothers are able to revamp the school dress code.
This true story will not only model for parents how to support their child’s entrepreneurial spirit, but equally, Sebastian’s contagious enthusiasm will inspire fellow kid entrepreneurs.
38 pages. K-3 level. Colorful illustrations.
In conclusion, there are many stories about kid entrepreneurs as opposed to stories that describe how to become a kid entrepreneur. I hope you and your child enjoy reading stories about kid entrepreneurs. I believe that you and your child will undoubtedly be inspired by these great reads!
If you know of any other great Preschool-2nd grade entrepreneurial stories, please let us all know in the comments below. Happy reading!
