Review by Booklist Review
Hot off the minting press, little Penny feels like a million bucks--till she discovers that her net worth won't even cover the cost of penny candy anymore. "We don't add up to much," says shabby Nickel as the two perch on a curb, ignored by passersby. Leaving no double entendre unturned, Wilson puts her crestfallen coin through comparative encounters with Quarter, Dime, and Big Bill--pun-ting historical facts, a note on the U.S. penny's possibly imperiled future, and a tidy stack of information sources to the end--before having a child pick Penny up, whisper a wish, and cast her into a fountain. "For the first time, everything made cents." Hoffmann outfits his cartoon currency with clothes and big, expressive eyes but leaves enough exposed to show at least parts of identifying mottoes and symbols. Budding plutocrats may be unimpressed, but this tribute to what is, the author notes, still our country's most minted coin offers a perfect opportunity to discuss the difference between mere purchasing power and real value.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--Freshly stamped at the mint, Penny is feeling fantastic--like a million bucks in fact! Unfortunately, Penny is about to find out that nobody really needs shiny, new pennies anymore. Not like Big Bill the cowboy-hat-wearing dollar, who is in high demand, or the cool dude quarter who surfs the arcade machines. Even the scholarly dime can buy penny candy. Penny and the dejected, grumpy nickel aren't sure where they fit in. Penny, however, isn't ready to give up looking for purpose. Finally, Penny finds her place as good luck! A child finds Penny and makes a wish at the fountain, showing that her value is much greater than just one cent. Highly appropriate for mathematics lessons, this tale will make children chuckle while teaching them about coins and dollar bills. The illustrations are colorful and bright, especially the coppery pennies. The anthropomorphic characters are cute and perfectly accompany the humorous, pun-filled text. Back matter includes some penny fun facts, such as that pennies cost more to mint than they are actually worth. VERDICT A lighthearted introduction to the monetary and sentimental value of American currency, with a subtext on the hidden value of less measurable sums.--Alyssa Annico
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A newly minted penny searches for meaning. "Hot off the minting press, Penny sparkled," the story begins, but her initial gusto turns to sorrow when it becomes clear that the world only sees her as a lowly cent, fit to be ignored. As she is jostled about by the tide of circumstance, she meets various coins and types of paper who enlighten her on the ways of the world. Sticking out of an open purse, Bill Bill, a $1 note cowpoke, cautions her that "it takes a hundred of you to do what I do." In a video game arcade, Quarter coolly explains that "slot surfin' is quarters-only. You're twenty-four cents short." In a sweet shop, donnish Dime subjects Penny to a cogent history lesson about inflation's effects on so-called "penny candy." Nickel, a morose street coin with beard stubble, turns down her offer to pair up. Penny hits a low point when she encounters an alarming newspaper headline: "THE GREAT PENNY DEBATE: ARE THEY WORTHLESS?" Thankfully, her fortunes shift upon meeting another penny who encourages her ("Heads up…we're good luck when we put our best face forward!") and leads her to the one place where she and her kind are truly valued. Filled with clever and chucklesome wordplay, Wilson's spry narrative is engaging but also educational, providing a solid, accessible introduction to basic money equivalents. Hoffmann's illustrations, rendered in acrylic, colored pencil, and pan pastel with digital touches, incorporate comicslike sound effects and nimbly extend the text with comedic touches. Combining a dash of math with buckets of good humor, this book is certainly like money in the bank. (facts, author's note, chart, bibliography) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
