New book from Congleton based financial planning firm teaches kids how to save money
A Congleton wealth management company have created their very own children's book working with local author, Nick Jones.
The book, called Franklyn – No Ordinary Fox is loosely themed around the industry of the Alexandria Way company, while not mentioning the word 'money' in the story at all.
Nick Jones from Somerford was delighted to be approached by Franklyn Financial Management to write the children's book for them.
"It was a challenge in the sense that it was the first time I've been approached by a company to make a book," said Nick.
"They gave me a few ideas but wanted me to come up with an overall story which brought it all together.
"The brief Franklyn gave me was they wanted a book for kids which taught the importance of saving, with a fox called Franklyn.
"It was a blank slate other than that. So I decided to be creative in teaching about savings without using actual money,"
The title deals with Franklyn Fox collecting nuts and berries whilst planting seeds which grow into flowers, trees, and more berries as a metaphor for saving and investing money for the future.
The book, which is just over 30 pages, ends with three questions that parents can ask their children, as an early introduction to managing money.
"Not only does the seeds cover a sustainability and environmental lesson, but it is a metaphor for interest and savings as well," Nick explained.
The dad-of-three recruited his graphic designer friend Ant Harding to illustrate the picture book.
"It has been a great experience from start to finish", said Ant.
"Thank you to Nick for asking me to illustrate. And if you know Franklyn, you'll know what a great company they are.
"I really do feel privileged to be working with someone like that. It is the first commercial illustration project I've done to this scale. It was a learning curve for me as well.
"All the feedback has been really positive, and we got lots of creative freedom.
"Something that Franklyn didn't have to do, is that they allowed us to put a link to our work in the back. They wanted the project to benefit everyone."
Franklyn Financial Management will be giving out 5,000 copies of the book to children across the Northwest on their Franklyn Fox School Tour which kicked off in May at Woodcocks Well's CofE Primary School.
On the school tour, pupils enjoy a Franklyn Fox session led by the education team at Franklyn Financial Management which includes story time, colouring in, and a discussion around the book before a special visit from Franklyn Fox himself.
Andrew Chatterton, Managing Director at Franklyn Financial Management, commented: "The idea of the book came from an Education Programme that we have run in secondary schools over the past three years which see's us working with students aged 11 to 18 on topics such as careers advice, employability skills, financial education, and much more.
"We wanted to create something which would allow us to work with the younger children in primary schools in our local community, to help teach them the principles about money but also about the value in giving back and doing the right thing."
Franklyn - No Ordinary Fox can be loaned for free at Congleton Library, on Market Square.
You can also buy a copy here, for just £6.99.
"I would like to thank Andy and Chloe from Franklyn for giving me the opportunity of this project," added Nick.
"It is a really positive thing for kids, and my kids love it too.
"I hope you all enjoy the book."
Nick's next project will be a book about a slug which is jealous of snails. It is not sponsored by anyone as of yet, but would be welcome to the support of Congleton businesses.
He also aims to write a Congleton-themed Halloween book later this year.
You can buy a copy and browse Nick's full suite of work here.
Congleton: You can follow Nick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can find more about Franklyn Financial Management here.
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