This was one of the most inspiring childrens books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I also state; if I have another child, I will use the Three Cup method. However, if using as a birthday gift, don't make it the only gift, as suggested in the story. In today's cruel society, the child would be devastated.
Still, I HIGHLY recommend to all parents with small ones, and even parents-in-planning, incorporate this story into bedtime. A great book to help teach our kids the skills they need. ( )

Three Cups tells a very simple but timely tale of one family's lessons in managing money. The family uses three cups to teach their son that his weekly allowance should be broken down into savings, spending money, and donations. While this concept may or may not be familiar to many parents, this book is unique in that the reader sees the child's point of view in all this. The unnamed narrator, a 5-year-old boy, describes the adventures he has and the lessons he learns while saving, spending, and making charitable contributions over the years. The narrative is simply stated, with tougher concepts, such as deposits and interest at the bank, clearly defined on a young child's level. The illustrations, with their softly drawn figures and warm hues, give a homey feeling to the book. In addition, the book concludes with a parent's guide, filled with suggestions on how families can implement their own version of the three cups. Overall, Three Cups is a great introduction to managing money for the entire family.

I reviewed this for EconKids. See the full review here: http://econkids.rutgers.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10... ( )