A Penny's Worth

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

"Filled with clever and chucklesome wordplay, Wilson's spry narrative is engaging but also educational, providing a solid, accessible introduction to basic money equivalents." — Kirkus Reviews