Pocket Money Adventures to Host Interactive Financial Literacy Workshops at Stoke Book Festival
Nathan Waldron, founder of Pocket Money Adventures (PMA) Community Interest Company, and a finance industry expert of two decades, will host two interactive workshop sessions at the Stoke Book Festival on Tuesday, 6 October.
The week-long festival, which launched on 3 October 2026, is presented by Stoke Minster in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council Libraries, Visit Stoke-on-Trent, YMCA North Staffs, and the National Literacy Trust.
During the sessions, primary school children will be introduced to the character Ava from the first in a series of PMA books called – Ava Saves Up – and embark on a story journey into Silverton. At key moments in the
narrative, children will be encouraged to explore decision-making by
asking: “What would you do if you were Ava?”
narrative, children will be encouraged to explore decision-making by
asking: “What would you do if you were Ava?”
(Image BabaBaboon: Nathan Waldron centre holding the book Ava Saves Up with the team at Carse & Waterman)
The interactive workshops will also centre on “Tap, Tap, Pause” — a
practical routine at the heart of the book which aims to teach children to
stop and think before making spending choices.
practical routine at the heart of the book which aims to teach children to
stop and think before making spending choices.
“It is so easy nowadays to just ‘tap, tap, tap’ bank cards, but we need to
understand what that ‘tap’ actually means and how much we spend on
impulse,” said Nathan Waldron.
understand what that ‘tap’ actually means and how much we spend on
impulse,” said Nathan Waldron.
“With money habits largely formed by the age of seven, ‘Tap, Tap, Pause’
provides a simple, memorable habit to teach children to stop and make
better decisions. The workshops that will be taking place at Stoke Book
provides a simple, memorable habit to teach children to stop and make
better decisions. The workshops that will be taking place at Stoke Book
Festival are designed to encourage children to think about money decisions and it is great to be involved and be able to share Ava’s story and the aim of Pocket Money Adventures.”
Simon Drakeford, Communities and Arts Manager at Stoke Minster and Director of Stoke Book Festival, said: “The printed word can take you to different places and spaces and books are so important, which is why we wanted to bring Stoke Book Festival to our City.
“The Book Festival will enrich our already diverse and cultural offering and we cannot wait to welcome everyone as we have some fantastic speakers.”
Simon added: “To have Nathan and Pocket Money Adventures involved
with the festival is fantastic. It’s so important from an early age, to
understand how money works and how pennies become pounds and
Nathan’s workshops are a great way for children to learn more.”
with the festival is fantastic. It’s so important from an early age, to
understand how money works and how pennies become pounds and
Nathan’s workshops are a great way for children to learn more.”
Launched under Pocket Money Adventures CIC to break down barriers inearly financial education, the book series — starting with Ava Saves Up —
was developed in collaboration with Stoke-on-Trent animation studio Carse & Waterman, known for their work with Disney, ITV, and the BBC. The project operates around the core mantra: “Save Some – Spend Some –Share Some – if you can”.
was developed in collaboration with Stoke-on-Trent animation studio Carse & Waterman, known for their work with Disney, ITV, and the BBC. The project operates around the core mantra: “Save Some – Spend Some –Share Some – if you can”.
The workshops will take place at Stoke Library on Tuesday 6 October and every participating child will receive a printed activity sheet to take back to their classroom, along with free online access to the full story to read at home with their families. For more information about Pocket Money
Adventures visit pocketmoneyadventures.co.uk
Adventures visit pocketmoneyadventures.co.uk
Tickets for Stoke Book Festival are available by visiting
https://stokebookfestival.co.
https://stokebookfestival.co.
Patch Dolan