This year's book is Cinders McLeod's How Do YOU Spend? If your library has already submitted your request for free books for kids, please do not submit another as it makes things very confusing!

Thank you,

Hello Library friends! 

After reviewing the detailed feedback from our 2025 participating librarians, The 2026 Smart Money Kids Read book will be a new book from the Moneybunny series, by crowd favorite author Cinders McLeod: How Do YOU Spend?.

Our year-round efforts culminate with intensified programming during Financial Literacy Month, April 1-30, 2026. To this end, we've been hard at work over the summer and into autumn, planning for our beloved Smart Money Kids Read (SMKR) program! By completing this request for FREE BOOKS FOR KIDS, you agree to provide money-themed children's programming during Financial Literacy Month, April 1-30, 2025, utilizing How Do You Spend? for our SMKR program, supplemented by fun, age-appropriate programming. Librarians are so creative! We believe most libraries will do in-person story time events, using our chosen book, along with coloring sheets, finger puppet plays, songs, rhymes, crafts, and more! Consider partnering with a local credit union on these events as well! Michigan credit unions not only provide funding for the Smart Money Kids Read program, but also enjoy participating in, and helping to provide program support, for such youth events.

It is important that you share with us the ways in which you plan to implement your Smart Money Kids Read program. How will you get these books into the hands of Michigan children in April? Do you need help securing a credit union partner for possible program support? What might your program look like?  We want to hear about it! 

The SMKR program is done in partnership between the Michigan Financial Wellness Network and the Michigan Credit Union Foundation.

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