FINANCE AND ANIMATION COME TOGETHER FOR NEW ADVENTURE WITH AVA
A finance expert and award-winning animation company have come together to launch a brand new children’s book which aims to kickstart the transformation of financial education.
Nathan Waldron – who has spent two decades working in the finance industry – has written and created a concept under the Pocket Money Adventures (PMA) Community Interest Company – which children, parents and educational establishments are set to benefit from.
It was Nathan’s vision and mission which led to a collaboration with Stoke-on-Trent based Carse & Waterman – who have worked on multiple children’s content projects with the likes of Disney, ITV and the BBC – to help design and bring the first of a book series to life – Ava Saves Up.
(Image BabaBaboon. Nathan Waldron (holding the Ava Saves Up book with the team at Carse & Waterman)
“Pocket Money Adventures has so many facets which we are developing,” says Nathan.
“One of the first parts of this is our book series, starting with Ava Saves Up, which tells the story of our young Ava who goes on a journey of understanding what the impact of purchasing new products can bring.
“Our book series is very exciting and I am delighted to be working with Carse & Waterman on all of this. They have been instrumental in bringing my ideas to life and helping to make all of this a reality.”
Gary Carse, Co-founder of Stoke based Carse & Waterman, said: “Nathan has an amazing vision and we could not wait to work with him.
“The work and research which has gone into all of this is incredible and Nathan’s expertise in the finance industry and personal experiences is always at the fore. Nathan has a way to explain and simplify finances which encourages others to share their own experiences on money matters.”
Ava Saves Up is already being piloted at several schools across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to children aged 4-7, and is the first part of a bigger project, which sits under the PMA CIC – which Nathan launched in January with the aim of breaking financial education barriers.
Nathan adds: “Ava Saves Up is the first stage in what is a huge project we are involved in. In 2028, schools are going to be expected to deliver a new curriculum around finance and that is by no means going to be an easy task.
“Money habits are said to be largely formed by the age of seven, but, as I know myself from being a father, young children may not necessarily be able to tell a luxury from a necessity. That is the gap we work in and a reason we have also partnered with Carse & Waterman – who are exceptional children’s content creators – to create an engaging narrative which children will understand, but also teachers and parents can also communicate with ease.
“Pocket Money Adventures also lives by the mantra – Save Some – Spend Some – Share Some – if you can – and the books are designed to encourage young children to think about why they want something, what is the cost and where does that money come from.
“It is so easy nowadays to just ‘tap, tap, tap’ bank cards – but we still need to understand what that ‘tap’ actually means and how much we are spending on impulse instead of with thought. This is why we have created a process called Tap , Tap, Pause – a simple, memorable habit that teaches children – and reminds adults – to stop and make better decisions.”
