Penny the Pelican Plans Ahead: Activity Guide by Alexandra Bono

Editorial Review - Voices of Excellence

Author Alexandra Bono

5 Star Review

1st Place in Children Books

Spring Edition 2026

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Helping young children understand money is no easy task. Concepts like saving, planning, and making thoughtful decisions can feel far removed from the everyday world of a preschooler. In Penny the Pelican Plans Ahead: Activity Guide, Alexandra Bono bridges that gap with warmth, creativity, and an impressive understanding of how young minds learn best.

Designed as a companion to the Penny the Pelican Plans Ahead storybook, this activity guide extends the lessons beyond the final page. Rather than simply reinforcing the story, it invites children to become active participants, giving them opportunities to practice financial concepts through games, puzzles, counting activities, and thoughtful exercises that feel more like play than instruction.

One of the guide's greatest strengths is its age-appropriate approach. Financial literacy is often introduced much later in childhood, yet Bono recognizes that the habits surrounding money begin forming long before children understand bank accounts or budgets. By focusing on foundational ideas such as distinguishing needs from wants, setting simple goals, and understanding the value of saving the workbook establishes skills that can naturally grow alongside the child.

The activities are thoughtfully paced for children between the ages of three and seven. Young learners are encouraged to count, color, trace, solve simple problems, and reflect on everyday choices in ways that feel approachable rather than overwhelming. Each page offers another opportunity to build confidence while reinforcing concepts introduced in the companion story.

The visual presentation deserves special recognition. Bright, cheerful illustrations help maintain attention while creating an inviting environment for learning. Penny remains a charming guide throughout the workbook, giving children a familiar friend who encourages curiosity instead of perfection. This consistent character presence helps transform abstract financial ideas into relatable experiences that children can easily understand.

Parents and educators will likely appreciate how naturally the lessons fit into everyday conversations. Rather than relying on lectures or rigid instruction, the workbook opens the door for discussions about earning, saving, sharing, and making thoughtful choices. Those conversations often become just as valuable as the activities themselves, allowing adults to tailor the lessons to a child's own experiences.

Another notable strength is the workbook's flexibility. While it works seamlessly alongside the original storybook, it also functions well as a standalone educational resource. Families looking to introduce basic money concepts, homeschool parents building financial literacy into their curriculum, or classroom teachers searching for engaging enrichment activities will all find practical value within its pages.

Perhaps the book's greatest achievement is that it never loses sight of its audience. Many educational workbooks fall into the trap of becoming overly instructional, sacrificing enjoyment in pursuit of learning objectives. Bono avoids that pitfall by keeping the tone playful and encouraging throughout. Children are invited to explore, imagine, and practice rather than memorize or perform, making the learning process feel natural and rewarding.

If there is one area where some families may wish for more, it would be additional activities that encourage collaborative participation between children and adults. While the workbook naturally sparks conversation, a few dedicated parent-child exercises could further strengthen the shared learning experience. Still, this is a minor observation within an otherwise thoughtfully designed resource.

Ultimately, Penny the Pelican Plans Ahead: Activity Guide succeeds because it understands that financial literacy begins with simple habits, not complex math. Alexandra Bono has created a workbook that respects the developmental stage of its readers while introducing ideas that can positively influence their decision-making for years to come. By combining engaging activities with meaningful life lessons, this guide transforms early financial education into an experience that is both enjoyable and lasting.

For families and educators seeking a gentle, engaging introduction to money management for young children, Penny the Pelican Plans Ahead: Activity Guide offers an excellent place to begin. It is a delightful extension of Penny's world—one that encourages children to think ahead, make wise choices, and discover that even small lessons today can lead to brighter tomorrows.