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Money Time: Fun Author Q&A with Tanya Acquista
Join author Tanya Acquista as she answers kids' questions about her book Money Time, exploring time management and balancing daily life.
Welcome back to Kids Ask, Authors Answer, a joyful video series where children’s curiosity meets author creativity! Each episode brings together real kids and children’s book authors for a read-aloud followed by spontaneous, unscripted Q&A sessions.
The twist? The authors never see the questions ahead of time, so every answer is genuine, often funny, and always full of heart.
Amy Doslich is the author and illustrator behind the beloved Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series, a collection inspired by her two daughters. Her stories are known for their warmth, humor, and family-centered adventures.
Samantha Howard-Els brings her own sparkle as the creator of the Mungo series and Tiny Boo, books that mix kindness, curiosity, and Halloween fun.
In this episode, hosts Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els read Money Time by Tanya Acquista, a clever and engaging picture book that teaches kids to think about their day like spending, saving, and investing “dollars” of time. As kids follow the story, they see how making thoughtful choices can help them balance fun and rest. while learning that time is a valuable resource.
Perfect for kids who are learning how to manage their time, this episode is packed with moments that spark curiosity and big questions, answered by Tanya herself, about priorities, decision-making, and how thinking about time like money can help families build healthier habits.
The Magic of "Money Time": Teaching Kids to Value Time as They Do Money
In today’s busy world, where schedules overflow with school, sports, and technology, children (and their grown-ups) are busier than ever. The concept of “time management” sounds like an adult headache, not something for kids to worry over. But what if children could learn, from an early age, to appreciate time as much as money? Would they spend their hours more wisely, choosing a healthy balance of responsibilities, fun, and connection?
That’s the big idea behind “Money Time,” a children’s book by Tanya Acquista. In a recent episode of “Kids Ask Author’s Answer,” Tanya delved into her book’s inspiration, her own struggles with time, and answered questions from curious kids about balancing life, money, and happiness. This article explores the lessons from her story, the insights from the kids’ questions, and offers reflections on teaching children (and ourselves) to make the most of the 24 hours we’re all given each day.
How do you explain the abstract idea of “time” to children? Tanya found inspiration in the phrase “time is money,” turning it into a playful, visual system: imagine each day gives you $24. What would you buy with those 24 dollars?
Every dollar stands for an hour. Would you invest in time for reading, playing, eating, or helping others? Would you spend four dollars on screen time, or choose to “buy” a moment outdoors, or a break with a beloved pet?
This metaphor powerfully reframes time as something tangible, something you can spend, waste, or save, just like coins in your piggy bank. Kids instinctively understand the pleasure (and limits) of spending money, so why not approach time the same way?
By putting a “price tag” on time, Tanya’s approach gives children (and adults) a way to talk about priorities, trade-offs, and aspirations. It’s not meant to make everyday life transactional but to foster thoughtful choices. The book invites readers to reflect: What did your “money time” buy you today? Did you invest in laughter, learning, movement, or friendship?
A recurring theme in “Money Time” and the kids’ questions is the art of balancing what needs to be done (chores, schoolwork, responsibilities) with what brings joy (play, rest, hobbies). Too much of one side and we feel exhausted or unsatisfied. As the author and the hosts point out, it’s about recognizing both needs, just as you wouldn’t spend all your pocket money on candy, you wouldn’t (and shouldn’t!) spend all your hours on chores or screen time.
The book and the discussion highlight that the best “purchases” are often moments spent with loved ones: a game with siblings, helping a friend, time with a pet, or a conversation with a parent. As Tanya reflects throughout the interview, these investments don’t cost a cent, but they’re priceless in terms of happiness and fulfillment.
Tanya’s story isn’t about filling every hour with productivity. It reminds young readers and listeners to “spend some money time on rest”, to be mindful and allow for pauses, relaxation, and time to recharge. In a culture that prizes constant busyness, this gentle reminder is golden.
One of the most powerful moments in the interview comes when Tanya responds to a young reader’s question: “Have you put your story into practice? Has it helped?” She admits that time management was once a struggle for her. A challenge she continues to face. Like many adults, she found herself overwhelmed by to-do lists, struggling to fit everything in.
Turning her book’s lessons inward, she now “budgets” her time differently, often planning three main goals each day (rather than an endless list). This more intentional approach, she says, has made her daily life more manageable and fulfilling. Her honesty helps reassure kids (and parents) that learning to manage time is a journey, not a destination.
Tanya describes drawing inspiration both from her own children and her experiences as a speech-language pathologist in schools. Hearing older students talk about time-management difficulties and seeing her young son’s daily routines sparked the idea for “Money Time.” The book, then, is not just a lesson for kids, but an ongoing growth process for everyone involved.
Throughout the episode, kids submitted thoughtful, sometimes funny, sometimes profound questions. Their queries and Tanya’s responses reveal how children process the ideas of time, money, and priorities, and offer lessons for us all.
“What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?”: Tanya reveals it was her home, co-owned with her husband. A symbol that big investments require planning and saving, and are shared, meaningful experiences.
“Do you ever have big feelings when writing a book?”: Tanya speaks of excitement, but also moments of feeling stuck. The process is an emotional journey, like any creative or challenging task. This answer models resilience. The sense that big, rewarding things take effort and involve overcoming obstacles.
“Do you think it’s better to be kind and happy or to have money?”: Perhaps the most important question (from Jackson), Tanya answers unequivocally: kindness and happiness matter more than wealth. Money is necessary for living, but it’s not life’s purpose.
Set a simple daily plan. Prioritize three main things to accomplish, instead of an overwhelming list. This creates satisfaction and focus.
Mix required tasks with favorite activities. Chores, homework, and self-care deserve space, alongside fun and novelty.
Budget time as you might budget an allowance. Divide your day’s “dollars” according to priorities, but leave room for surprises.
Make room for helping others and learning. These investments often pay off beyond the hour spent.
The hosts suggest fun ways to help kids internalize these ideas. A jar with 24 coins or dollars, which children can physically allocate as they plan their day. This practice can spark conversations about what’s most important to them, where their time “goes,” and how small choices add up.
Tanya highlights decisions like balancing screen time and outdoor play, or choosing chores over entertainment. Sometimes the cleaning can wait in favor of an experience, a rest, or a special moment with family. The book gently underlines: priorities are personal, and sometimes they shift with the seasons, the weather, or what’s happening in our lives.
Another recurring topic is the idea of saving some of our metaphorical “money time” for others. This could mean helping at home, spending time with siblings, or giving back through volunteering and acts of kindness. Tanya’s own wish, if she had unlimited money, would be to travel, experience new cultures, and donate to children’s charities, modeling generosity beyond the self.
Use Visual Aids: Create a chart or jar system with kids, marking off or moving coins as the day progresses. This makes the cost of each activity visible and sparks conversations about smart “spending.”
Reflect Daily: At bedtime, ask, “What did your ‘money time’ buy you today?” Celebrate good choices and balance, but don’t dwell on mistakes. Learning is ongoing.
Model Balance: Let kids see you make time for both work and enjoyment, reading together, going outside to play, taking time for chores, but also for laughter and rest.
Encourage Generosity: Discuss how dedicating some hours each week to helping, listening, or learning benefits everyone, not just ourselves.
You have more power than you think! Even if school, chores, and routines are set, you can pick how to spend bursts of free time, and you can suggest favorite ways to spend family time.
Big feelings are normal. Whether you feel frustrated, stuck, or joyful, your emotions matter. Time spent resting or recharging is just as valuable as time spent “doing.”
Ask questions! Like the kids in the interview, stay curious about how adults and friends use their “money time.” You may be inspired to try something new.
More than anything, “Money Time” is about teaching children to be intentional, not just with money, but with the gift of each day. It’s about putting value not just on achievements, but on kindness, joy, learning, rest, and connection.
Tanya’s book and the lively Q&A remind us that life isn’t just about earning or spending money, but about choosing to use our limited hours, our $24 a day, on what matters most. Whether you are a child, parent, or teacher, it’s never too late to ask: What did my money time buy today? Was it a smile, a story, a hug, a moment outside, a new skill, or a bit of help for someone else?
Each day is a new chance to invest in ourselves and in others. Let’s make every hour count.
Make it concrete: Use coins or play money to symbolize hours.
Plan together: Ask them how they want to allocate their “dollars” each morning.
Reflect at night: Celebrate the moments that brought joy and meaning.
Frame chores as a smart investment: They’re necessary, but not the whole budget. Mix them with rewarding activities.
Help kids find joy even in chores: Listen to music, do tasks together, or reward with extra “play” dollars afterwards.
Allow for screen time, but budget it: Don’t let it eat up all $24. Encourage children to spend dollars on outside play, books, or creative activities too.
Let kids see the trade-off: Help them notice how they feel after different types of “spending.”
In the end, Tanya’s book, and the kids’ insightful questions, circle back to a simple truth. While money pays for things, it is time, love, and kindness that make life rich. As Tanya expresses, “You need money for to live, yes, but it’s not the most important thing in life.”
The next time you think about your busy family schedule, picture each hour as a precious dollar in your pocket. How will you spend it? Will you invest in laughter, learning, hugs, or helping out? Will you save a few coins for quiet moments, or use some to surprise someone else with kindness?
Every day offers a fresh allowance of time. Let’s spend it wisely, and generously.
Want to Grab a Copy of Money Time?
You can find it here*: https://amzn.to/3ZUwRdP
Watch them here: Kids Ask Authors Answer Interviews!
You can also find Amy and Sam’s books here:
Amy Doslich – Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series*: https://amzn.to/4eLoZ3G
Samantha Howard-Els – Mungo series & Tiny Boo*: https://amzn.to/3CBx9OF
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