From the Business Office to the Bookshelf

From the Business Office to the Bookshelf: Dr. Wanda Carr Inspires Financial Literacy in Young Learners

For Dr. Wanda Carr, the Business Officer at The Oakwood School in Greenville, NC, the inspiration for her latest project didn’t come from a spreadsheet—it came from a first grader.

Earlier this school year, a parent dropped by Dr. Carr’s office with her young son. During the visit, the mother mentioned her son’s fascination with numbers. To Dr. Carr’s amazement, the first grader began adding large numbers with ease. That spark of curiosity stayed with her, leading to a realization: "I should write a children's book to reach kids while they're young."

Determined to bridge the gap between complex financial concepts and early childhood education, Dr. Carr turned to an unlikely collaborator: AI. She named her ChatGPT assistant "Betsy" and began the creative process by asking, “How do I write a children’s book?”

What followed was a dynamic partnership. "Betsy" prompted Dr. Carr with questions about target ages and themes, helping her land on a range for children ages 3 to 12. Together, they designed the graphics and finalized the title of her new book: "Penny’s Big Adventure: The Magic of Money."

Sparking the "Table Talk"

The heart of the book is designed to foster "table talk"—encouraging families to have conversations about money at a level children can understand. By focusing on three core pillars—Sharing, Saving, and Spending—Dr. Carr provides a framework that parents can tailor to their own unique household circumstances and values.

Bringing the Lesson to Life

Dr. Carr is looking forward to connecting with our NCAIS community to help bring these financial concepts into the classroom. She is available to visit member schools for interactive kids' workshops, classroom readings, and book signings, offering a unique way to introduce students to the "magic" of money through the eyes of a fellow school leader.

How to Order: Penny’s Big Adventure is available now on Dr. Carr’s website, Amazon, and Walmart.

Want Dr. Carr to visit your school? Click HERE to email her.