Financial literacy for families

Give Your Kids a
Head Start on Money
Before Life Does.

Rhyming picture books written by a financial planner — designed to turn one bedtime story into a lifetime of smart money habits.

Explore the Books Meet the Author
★★★★★
Loved by families across the country
The Choice Jar — Book 2 of The Financial Adventures of Colby Jack
The Piggy Bank Surprise — Book 1 of The Financial Adventures of Colby Jack
$9.99 Bundle
2 books · Ages 3–8 · Instant download
Trusted by parents at
📚 Schools & Libraries 🏦 Financial Planning Firms 🏠 Homeschool Co-ops 👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting Communities
Written by a ChFC® Financial Planner
Rhyme & verse format kids love
Trusted by families nationwide
Digital & print editions available
The Series

The Financial Adventures
of Colby Jack

Follow Colby Jack — a lovable cheese character — through money adventures designed to spark real conversations between parents and kids.

The Piggy Bank Surprise book cover
Published July 2024
Saving Ages 3–8 Rhyming

The Piggy Bank Surprise

The perfect introduction to saving, delayed gratification, and financial confidence for kids ages 3–8. When a curious slice of cheese named Colby Jack discovers a mysterious piggy bank in the attic, his wise Poppa Jack teaches him that saving isn't just about collecting crumbs — it's about planting a seed for a beautiful future. This rhyming, heartwarming story helps children understand that every small step matters and that resisting temptation leads to big rewards.

Core lesson: The power of consistency, patience, and goal-setting — introduced through a story kids ask to read again and again.

$9.99 Smart Savers Bundle
Get the Bundle Also on Amazon ↗
The Choice Jar book cover
Published August 2025
Spending Ages 3–8 Decision-making

The Choice Jar

A fun, heartwarming story that teaches kids how to choose wisely with their money. Colby Jack and his friends have saved up all their crumbs — now comes the big decision. Inspired by a lesson from Poppa Jack, this adventure introduces three paths for every crumb: Smart, Sweet, or Heart. It helps children slow down, connect their feelings to their choices, and understand the core concepts of saving, spending, and sharing.

Core lesson: Money decisions come from feelings. Teaching kids to pause and think before they act builds lifelong financial confidence.

$9.99 Smart Spenders Bundle
Get the Bundle Also on Amazon ↗

Get Both Books — Save More

Start your family's financial adventure with the complete Colby Jack library. Both bundles include the e-book and printable activity pack.

Shop All Books → $9.99 each
The Mission

Money Talks Shouldn't Be Uncomfortable

Most families avoid money conversations — not because they don't care, but because they don't know where to start. Children who learn financial principles early carry that confidence for life.

BrightCrumbs was built to bridge that gap: practical, eternal money principles wrapped in stories kids love and parents can share on any night of the week.

"It all begins with one crumb."

Meet the Author

Rhyme & Verse

Rhythm makes concepts stick. Kids memorize these stories naturally — so lessons come back at the right moment.

Practical Principles

Not theory — real money behaviors. Saving, spending, giving, and choosing all live in these pages.

Family Conversations

Each book comes with discussion prompts that turn bedtime reading into genuine financial teaching moments.

Eternal Values

Beyond tactics — these stories root money in character. Generosity, patience, and wisdom built for a lifetime.

Tyler Lavoie, ChFC — author of The Financial Adventures of Colby Jack
ChFC · CKA · AAMS · CRPC · AWMA · ABFP

Financial planner & children's author

The Author

A Financial Planner
Who Gets It

Mr. Lavoie has spent his career helping families navigate money with confidence. But he kept seeing the same pattern — adults struggling with financial basics they never learned as children.

So he did something about it. Drawing on real planning principles and a love for storytelling, he created Colby Jack — a character who makes the abstract concrete and the intimidating joyful.

Every book in this series is grounded in the same principles Mr. Lavoie uses with his clients every day, translated into rhymes children can carry into adulthood.

2 Books published
6 Designations
∞ Adventures ahead
Reviews

What Families Are Saying

★★★★★

"The Financial Adventures of Colby Jack is fantastic! The book breaks down complex concepts like saving, budgeting, and investing into digestible and engaging stories. The hand-drawn illustrations add a unique personal touch. A great way to empower your kids with crucial financial knowledge from a young age."

Julia Z. Verified Reader
★★★★★

"Creatively combined with pictures and fun characters that make the story of Colby Jack memorable. Sets a great baseline for future financial adventures kids will enjoy and remember for years."

Rich Christman Verified Reader
★★★★★

"Easy to read and understand in poetry format — a quick understanding through likeable pictures. Most of all: a simply clear message on what savings is and the enjoyment behind it."

Heather Verified Reader
★★★★★

"My 6-year-old asked me if we could start a piggy bank after the very first read. That's the magic of this book — it doesn't lecture, it invites. We read it three nights in a row."

Sarah M. Parent of 2 · Verified Reader
★★★★★

"As a teacher, I'm always looking for books that spark real conversation. This one does it effortlessly. The rhyming keeps kids engaged and the financial concepts are introduced in a way that actually sticks."

Karen L. 2nd Grade Teacher · Verified Reader
★★★★★

"I'm a financial advisor and I wish this existed when my kids were little. Mr. Lavoie nails the fundamentals without dumbing them down. I'm recommending it to every client with young children."

David T. Financial Advisor · Verified Reader
Getting Started

Three Steps to Financial Play

Starting your family's financial adventure is simple.

Pick Your Book

Choose from Book 1 (saving) or Book 2 (spending decisions) — or grab both to build a complete foundation.

Read Together

Curl up and read Colby Jack's adventure aloud. The rhyming format keeps kids engaged from page one to the last.

Start the Conversation

Use the included activity pack to turn the story into real action. Money habits built early last a lifetime.

Start the Adventure — $9.99
Shop

You Don't Have to Be a Financial Expert
to Raise a Money-Smart Kid.

You just need the right tools — and a way to make it fun. These packs were built for families who want something better. For the parent doing their best. For the one who had to figure it out too late — and wants to make sure their child doesn't have to.

Because big dreams don't start with big money. They start with good habits.

Smart Savers Starter Pack — Book 1
Saving · Book 1

Smart Savers Starter Pack

The perfect introduction to saving, delayed gratification, and financial confidence — a rhyming picture book plus four hands-on activities to bring the lessons home.

What's inside Book + 4 activities
  • 📖
    The Piggy Bank Surprise (PDF e-book) The full rhyming story — ready to read on any device or print at home
  • 🃏
    Money Moves Match-Up Game Sneaky learning disguised as play — links smart money actions to real outcomes
  • 📅
    30-Day Crumb Tracker Calendar Every time your child saves or makes a good choice, they color a crumb. Small steps add up to something bigger.
  • 💬
    Parent Discussion Guide Quick, thoughtful questions to help your child connect what they read to what they do
  • 🏆
    Crumb Champion Certificate A keepsake milestone award — signed by both Poppa Jack & Mr. Lavoie. Frame it. Post it on the fridge. Make it a moment.
$9.99 Instant digital download
Get the Pack →
Smart Spenders Starter Pack — Book 2
Spending · Book 2

Smart Spenders Starter Pack

A heartwarming story that teaches kids how to choose wisely with their money — exploring saving, spending, and sharing through the Smart, Sweet, or Heart framework, plus four activities to make it stick.

What's inside Book + 4 activities
  • 📖
    The Choice Jar (PDF e-book) The full rhyming story — ready to read on any device or print at home
  • 💬
    Parent & Teacher Discussion Guide Simple prompts that turn story time into something more — connecting money feelings to real-life choices
  • 🗺️
    Feelings→Choices Sorting Map A kid-friendly mat that matches feelings (Excited, Worried, Curious…) to Save, Share, or Spend
  • 🃏
    Sweet-Smart-Heart Pathway Cards Cut, choose, and chat — everyday scenarios where kids pick a path and explain why
  • 🏆
    Smart Spender Certificate A keepsake award signed by Poppa Jack & Mr. Lavoie — marking the beginning of their financial adventure
$9.99 Instant digital download
Get the Pack →
Complete Colby Jack Library Complete Colby Jack Library
Best Value

Complete Colby Jack Library

Both packs together — 2 e-books and 8 printable activities covering saving, spending, feelings, and the habits that last a lifetime. The full foundation for your family's financial adventure.

What's inside 2 books + 8 activities
  • 🐷
    Smart Savers Starter PackThe Piggy Bank Surprise + Match-Up Game, Crumb Tracker, Discussion Guide & Certificate
  • 🫙
    Smart Spenders Starter PackThe Choice Jar + Discussion Guide, Sorting Map, Pathway Cards & Certificate
$16.99 Save $3 vs. buying separately
Get Both Packs →
Prefer print? Both books are also available as hard copies on Amazon →
A child smiles while adding coins to a jar with a picture of a future goal, learning to save for their later self in a fun and simple way.
This Week's Post

Future You: Teaching Kids To Care About Their “Later Self”

Saving stops feeling like losing when kids see it as caring for Future You. Here's how to use simple goals and jars to make saving feel exciting, not restrictive.

June 23, 2026 10 min read
Read the Article →
The Blog

Crumbs of Wisdom
from Cheddarville

All Articles →
Family & Lessons
· 10 min read

Big Changes, Small Hearts: Talking About Money During Moves, Job Changes, Or Transitions

Big life changes and money are almost always connected. Here’s how to talk to your kids about transitions with calm, age-appropriate language that builds trust and safety.

Read the article →
Values & Choices
· 5 min read

Teaching Value, Not Just Price: Helping Kids Understand What Things Are Really "Worth"

Price is a number. Value is a feeling. Here's how to help young kids learn the difference before habits form.

Read the article →
Saving
· 5 min read

Grandparent Gifts and Birthday Money: Turning Surprise Cash Into Confidence

A birthday card with a crisp bill inside is a perfect teaching moment — if you know what to do next.

Read the article →
FAQ

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about the books, bundles, and getting started.

Full FAQ Page →
What age range are these books best for?

The Colby Jack books are written for ages 3–8, but the rhyming format and colorful illustrations make them enjoyable for slightly younger and older children too. They're designed to be read together — the real value is in the conversation after.

What's included in a bundle pack?

Each bundle includes the full e-book plus a set of printable activities unique to that book. The Smart Savers Starter Pack (Book 1) includes the Money Moves Match-Up card game, a 30-Day Crumb Tracker savings calendar, and a Crumb Champion Award certificate. The Smart Spenders Starter Pack (Book 2) includes the Feelings→Choices Sorting Map, a Parent Discussion Guide, Sweet-Smart-Heart Pathway scenario cards, and a Smart Spender Certificate — all signed by Mr. Lavoie and Poppa Jack.

Are the books available in print?

Yes — both books are available as hard copies through Amazon in addition to the digital bundles available here. Search "Financial Adventures of Colby Jack" on Amazon or use the link in the Shop section above.

Do I need any financial knowledge to use these books?

Not at all. The books are designed so that any parent can pick them up and have a meaningful conversation about money — no finance background required. The activity packs guide the discussion.

Are there more books coming?

Yes — the Colby Jack series is ongoing. Future adventures will continue covering core financial concepts in the same rhyme-and-verse format. Join the Crumb Club to be notified when new books drop.

Stay in the loop

Join the Crumb Club

Get new book announcements, free financial literacy resources for families, and early access to new Colby Jack adventures — straight to your inbox.

📚 Shop Books — $9.99