Creating the first Razzle and Dazzle book was really fun. I wanted to write a book that was entertaining for kids around my daughter’s age. She was in second grade at the time. I also wanted there to be some sort of lesson to learn within the book, but I didn’t want it to sound preachy. Kids are bossed around so much. They don’t want to be bossed by a book, too! My daughter is most successful when she is able to interact with and learn from her peers. I decided the best way to teach readers would be to have the kittens in the book teach each other.
Razzle and Dazzle are twin kittens. They help each other and grow from their experiences. The first book focused on money management. When I was a kid, my mom taught me about the value of saving money. Another important “adult” in my kids’ lives did not learn such lessons and spends recklessly. He steals, gambles, never pays off debt, and has terrible credit. I want my kids to understand the concepts of saving and spending.
In the Razzle and Dazzle book, Razzle spends money like a typical child and is disappointed when he can’t buy the toy he really wanted. Dazzle teaches him how to use his money wisely. Razzle learns from his mistakes. Dazzle helps but never makes her brother feel bad about his choices. My hope is that readers learn from the kittens. Maybe some kiddos will even create their own “Fun Money” and “Savings” jars!