February 2023: I published a children’s book

I recently published my first children’s book, so I might as well share it with the world on Dr. Seuss Day!

I love story time with my kiddos.  There’s nothing better than snuggling up with Charlie and Jack and seeing them learn and light up with each turn of the page.  Whether they are shouting out the lines to their favorite books or getting excited about a brand-new story, it’s always a special experience. 

I look on my kids’ bookshelves (and at the books scattered all over the floor of our living room and our car), and see all the stories that have sparked important conversations, taught valuable lessons, and created significant memories in the Janiec house.  Like how Charlie and Jack learned what it means to be a good friend from Little Blue Truck and were reminded why it’s important to eat their broccoli and peas from Just Try One Bite.  I consider how Little Helpers got my kids to stop running the water on full blast while they brush their teeth, and how Oh the Places You’ll Go gave them a roadmap for navigating life.  I think about how many times we’ve read I’m a Big Sister and I’m a Big Brother to prepare them for our new baby on the way. 

So as a financial advisor and a dad who strives to help his kids set goals, build plans, and take action to fill up their piggy banks – I’ve been looking for a book that would teach basic financial literacy in a fun way.

I wanted to find a rhyming story with an adorable main character who inspires kids to earn and save money for the things they love.  I wanted the book to teach foundational principles that are relevant for both kids and parents.  I wanted the book to spark conversations about priorities and why it’s important to sometimes delay gratification and consider opportunity costs when making choices.  I wanted a book that would guide little readers to create their own savings plans. 

But I couldn’t quite find the book I was looking for.  So I wrote my own.

My book, Charlie Buys a Bike, is a fun rhyming story for kids (pre-K to 3^rd grade) in which a little girl and her mom teach us a timeless lesson about saving money for important purchases.  Archway Publishing Company helped my vision and words come to life with professional illustrations and production.

In the story, when Charlie sees a bike at the store, it is love at first sight! Unfortunately, she doesn’t have enough money to buy the bike…yet. With guidance from her mom, Charlie learns how to save money so she can purchase the bike herself one day. But as she is about to discover, putting away money is easier said than done. Charlie must stay focused on her goal despite offers for ice cream, toys, and roller coaster rides.  You’ll have to buy a copy to find out whether Charlie loves the bike enough to come up with what she needs. 

I hope Charlie Buys a Bike creates an opportunity for you to talk with your kids about something they would like to buy and how they can earn and save enough money to make it happen.  I anticipate that it will be one of those stories that your children (and maybe you) are reciting around the house and in the classroom.  And I bet that by investing about 20 bucks in this book, you’ll actually save money the next few times the ice cream truck pulls through your neighborhood. 

If you are interested in buying a copy for your family, friends, or classrooms, please do one of the following:

1. For a signed book (from me and maybe even Charlie), please email charliebuysabike@gmail.com with your name, mailing address, and the number of copies that you would like to order.
   • This is my preferred method because I have plenty of inventory at home to send out.
   • (Pricing including shipping costs is Hardcover: $23, Softcover: $15)

• You can also purchase a hardcover, softcover, or e-book online at:

Charlie Buys a Bike @ Amazon

Charlie Buys a Bike @ Barnes & Noble

If you and your kids enjoy the story, please help spread the word the following ways:

1. Share with friends and family.
2. Follow @charliebuysabike on Instagram. 
3. Write an Amazon review.
4. Reach out to set up a reading at your local school, library, or community center. 

Despite encouragement and support from close friends and family, I’ll admit that I’ve been nervous about sharing this project with the public. 

But now that Charlie Buys a Bike is here, I think about how I wanted to be a published author since I was in first grade.

I see the excitement in Charlie and Jack’s eyes each time they see themselves as characters in a book and how proud Charlie is to show her friends and teachers.

I experienced how much fun it was to read the book this week to 3^rd grade students for Read Across America. 

I notice how many “saving money” conversations that the book has already started between Charlie and I, and I think about the potential for this resource to help young kids and families develop great habits at a young age. 

So whether I sell 10 copies or 10,000, I’m officially glad I did this.  And there’s no turning back now.

Charlie Buys a Bike is available at a book-store near you.  Enjoy!