MAYA AND MARCUS GO TO THE BANK

A rhyming picture book that teaches the basics of banking.

Maya and Marcus are saving money to buy art supplies to make a gift for Mother’s Day, and they work hard doing various jobs around the neighborhood. When their piggy banks get full, their parents, who work as financial advisers, suggest that the kids open savings accounts. The youngsters get a tour of the bank, including the loan department and vault, where Maya and Marcus imagine treasures. They learn about the interest they will earn and receive debit cards. Eventually, they go to the art store, use a debit card to buy supplies, and paint a picture for their mother. The story’s premise and explanations make it a useful tool for teaching children banking fundamentals. However, many rhymes seem a bit forced, and some passages don’t add much helpful information, as when the kids envision how they’ll deposit their money: “Maya imagined dropping in her savings by flying in a small plane, / While Marcus imagined dropping in his savings from the world’s tallest crane.” The notably colorful and appealing illustrations portray a Black family, and secondary characters are depicted with an array of skin tones.

An informative, if slightly uneven, work on the “value of saving.”