Hello, friends! Our book today is E Is For Economics, written by Veronica Goodman and illustrated by Nicole Jones Sturk, a playfully financial-themed alphabet book for budding baby economists.

Little readers are introduced to various economic principles and figures, from “A is for Adam Smith” (philosopher/father of modern economics) to “Z is for Zero Sum” (a situation in which whatever is gained by one side is lost by the other). Each term is accompanied by an adorably colorful illustration, often a literal or figurative interpretation of the subject, and sometimes with a tongue-in-cheek twist of humor.

Niche alphabet books are a fun concept that is rapidly gaining popularity, and this one has a lot going for it. There’s a good mix of subjects, and the art is clever, rich, and colorful (JJ especially enjoyed the illustrations and creative typesets). However, I really, really wish that a short definition of the terms or people being introduced had been included in each page, or even in a glossary in the back. I understood a few of the rudimentary terms, and when I did, it added so much to be experience – the clever visual gags alone were instantly more appealing. But there were industry terms that I didn’t understand, and those pages simply fell flat (it should be noted that my husband, who works in finance and spent several years studying economics, thought the whole book was a scream!). This one has such promise, and for a reader who is well-versed in economics and could explain the subject to their little one, it would be an amazing book to share. But for laymen, it can be a bit of a puzzle. We’re going to call this one Baby Bookworm approved – but if you’re not an economist yourself, maybe hit up Wikipedia for a crash course in definitions first.

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the author in exchange for an honest review.)