Rhyming picture books written by a financial planner — designed to turn one bedtime story into a lifetime of smart money habits.
Follow Colby Jack — a lovable cheese character — through money adventures designed to spark real conversations between parents and kids.
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.
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.
Start your family's financial adventure with the complete Colby Jack library. Both bundles include the e-book and printable activity pack.
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.
Meet the Author"It all begins with one crumb."
Rhythm makes concepts stick. Kids memorize these stories naturally — so lessons come back at the right moment.
Not theory — real money behaviors. Saving, spending, giving, and choosing all live in these pages.
Each book comes with discussion prompts that turn bedtime reading into genuine financial teaching moments.
Beyond tactics — these stories root money in character. Generosity, patience, and wisdom built for a lifetime.
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.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Starting your family's financial adventure is simple.
Choose from Book 1 (saving) or Book 2 (spending decisions) — or grab both to build a complete foundation.
Curl up and read Colby Jack's adventure aloud. The rhyming format keeps kids engaged from page one to the last.
Use the included activity pack to turn the story into real action. Money habits built early last a lifetime.
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.
The perfect introduction to saving, delayed gratification, and financial confidence — a rhyming picture book plus four hands-on activities to bring the lessons home.
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.
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.
Few things stir up big feelings faster than one child noticing the other has more. Learn how to explain fairness, age differences, and money choices with calm, clear language — so "that's not fair" becomes a real teaching moment.
Read the Article →When one sibling has more money, chores, or freedom, comparison can grow fast. Here's how to handle it with calm, clear language.
Read the article →Price is a number. Value is a feeling. Here's how to help young kids learn the difference before habits form.
Read the article →A birthday card with a crisp bill inside is a perfect teaching moment — if you know what to do next.
Read the article →Everything you need to know about the books, bundles, and getting started.
Full FAQ Page →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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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