Interstellar
economics
IN 1990, A RECESSION devastated Canberra, Australia, the place entrepreneur and educator Christine Thompson-Wells then called home. The local economic downturn meant she and the staff of her thriving flo- ral business felt the impact where it hurt most: in their wallets. Thompson-Wells, 62, a Manchester, UK, Costco member, now views that economic fallout as fortuitous. “Out of that experi- ence, I realized that money is purely symbolic,” she says. “It’s only
worth the value
that someone else puts on it.”
That “aha” moment led her to pen a
series of financial-education books for children (www.
money-school.co.uk). These self-published books, used
by teachers, parents and students, are intended to
engage young readers between the ages of 6 and 9.
For instance, the books in the Will Jones’ Space
Adventures and the Money Formula series are science-
fiction novels, which have been described as “Harry
Potter with a purpose.” One book teaches children a
life skill through fun and adventure, while another
teaches money skills from the interaction that takes
place during the rehearsal and performance of a play.
Another uses puzzles to help children identify and use
basic research techniques when working with money.
Two newer books, You & Cashflow for Survival:
A Tool for Financial Empowerment and Money
Management for Students: A Handbook, target broader
age groups.—Jennifer Pirtle
downturn meant she and the staff of her thriving flo-
ral business felt the
impact where it hurt
most: in their wallets.
Thompson-Wells,
62, a Manchester, UK,
Costco member, now
views that economic
fallout as fortuitous.
“Out of that experi-
ence, I realized that
money is purely
symbolic,” she
says. “It’s only
worth the value
that someone else puts on it.”
That “aha” moment led her to pen a
series of financial-education books for children (
money-school.co.uk). These self-published books, used
Thompson-Wells then called home. The local economic
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS FOUNDATION
From seed to plate
Gracie Cavnar and
chef Charles Clarke,
owner of Houston’s Ibiza
restaurant, add spice to
children’s educations.
WHAT’S THE RECIPE for combating
childhood obesity and encouraging
long-term health?
Combine a school program where
classrooms maintain their own garden.
Add a generous dash of Houston’s finest chefs, paired to give monthly lessons
in healthy cooking, eating and etiquette,
and incorporate writing (essays on a
favorite vegetable), math (
measurements) and culture (balsamic vinegar is
from Italy).
The winning result is Recipe for
Success (
www.recipe4success.org). To
date, more than 3,000 students in five
pilot schools, fourth- and fifth-grade
summer camps, and after-school programs have altered the way they understand, appreciate and eat food.
For good measure throw in one very
determined Gracie Cavnar, a member at
the Galleria Costco in Texas, who noticed
the excess of junk food marketed to kids,
spent the next decade planning, and
then funneled money from her family’s
nonprofit charitable foundation into an
August 2006 launch.
Cavnar, 56, is the pro bono executive
director and president of the 22-mem-
ber board. She also has on her team 12
employees, trained parent volunteers,
interns from area universities, and businesses and organizations, which pitch in
with money and volunteers.
What’s the kids’ favorite part? “They
love to cook and love the attention,”
says Cavnar. “They feel a real sense of
accomplishment when they get in there
and make something they like to eat.
The whole [light] bulb goes off: This is
how carrots grow; now we can make
carrot bread.”
Next up: Cavnar has a waiting list
of school districts and state and nationwide interest in replicating or starting a
similar program, as well as a 2009 cookbook release, Eat It! Food Adventures,
which features recipes from each country along Marco Polo’s routes.
—Shana McNally
ber board. She also has on her team 12
employees, trained parent volunteers,
Separated at birth?
John Preovolos, a Costco member in San Jose, California, was
amazed to see “himself” on the May 2009 Connection cover.
“You had Bill Gates Sr. shown as the person pictured, and
as anyone can see it is a picture of me!” he writes.
