Benny's Pennies

My 2 1/2-year-old loves this book and was soon "reading" it back to me! Its simple rhymes relate a story of generosity and thoughtfulness. We read it every day for weeks, and return to it frequently after 4 months. Paperback version is not sturdy, though--pages fell out after repeated reading.

This is one of my favorite books. It is so simple and beautifully told, gently imparting an important message of selflessness. It is a modern fable. Each page is an amusing "chapter" to an adventure with a gratifying surprise ending. I love how the author respects kids' ability to be kind and creative without the prodding of adults. The illustrations, painstakingly, gorgeously rendered in cut paper, are facinating. Like the story, the pictures are a celebration of a conscientious approach to life.

what a wonderful book. I love the illustrations and the rhyming text. My 2 1/2 year old son (also named Benny!) loves to hear this book over and over. He has many parts memorized, too. It is nice to read a book in which the main character, who could easily spend the money on himself, finds something for his mother, brother, sister, cat, and dog, spending one of his five new shiny pennies on each of them. He gets nothing for himself, except many "thank you"s and that great feeling of giving!

I really enjoyed reading this book to my daughter Emily,age 3. It is a wonderful story about a boy who had five new pennies and spent them buying things for others. In such a greedy world we need to instill the power of giving to our children. The story is well written and the illustrations are enticing.

What a wonderful story to read with your child! A great lesson in sharing and basic mathmatics. Plus, the illustrations are wonderful 3-D paper cutouts! This book is a special and rare treat for 3,4 and 5 year olds. I highly recommend it.