Young readers' easy read to explore the world of money

Books are one of the best means to gain and spread knowledge. We know that but most of us feel intimidated when asked to read a book to understand complex subjects.The fear is heightened when we, adults, are given the task of explaining things,which we ourselves find difficult, to children. We have a tendency to say “It’s not for children to understand.”
Reading books is a habit that both children and adults need to develop but an author’s style of writing is very important to captivate or drive away readers. Well-known journalist Serajul Islam Quadir has set an example to follow through his book titled Taka Elo Kemon Kore (The emergence of money) where he shed light on the history and evolution of money.
In his book, he says taka is a medium acknowledged by the government and accepted by mass people, using which products and services are exchanged. The definition without a context would be as disinteresting to the targeted audience as any information meant to be memorised. But before providing that definition Mr Kadir told stories unfolding the layers of transformation that the human civilisation had gone through.
There was no trade and commerce when humans were hunter-gatherers. They collected necessary elements, mainly food, for survival from natural sources. As humans became social beings in permanent settlements they were divided into separate professions. If a group started cultivating crops, some other group chose fishing as their livelihood. Hence, they needed each other to mitigate their needs.
Quadir piques readers’ interests by telling the history and depicting connections between events that led to the concept and establishment of money. Tales are worth being told when they elicit eagerness among listeners to listen to them. Quadir has successfully weaved stories that readers irrespective of age (though the book is meant for children) would immerse themselves into until the end.
Taka Elo Kemon Kore illustrates how money has facilitated trade and commerce and how shifts in social and economic dynamics in turn have changed the form of money — salt to credit card to cryptocurrency. Money has any value only when it can be used to exchange products. Quadir also engages readers in relatable narratives about the ancient form of borrowing and lending before the modern banking got its present shape.
Young readers will find the book an easy read to learn about the use of money, its dominance and the enforcement of laws and regulations to stop its abuse. We often say financial literacy is a must to navigate today’s world, where money is associated with almost every aspect of life, and it should begin at an early age.

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