Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2015 Gr 2–5—Presented in a clear and straightforward manner, this title explains the most basic economic concepts. Using the classic example of opening and operating a lemonade stand as a jumping-off point, Adler engages readers in a five-day scenario depicting the four basic laws of supply and demand. For instance, the purchase of serving and presentation materials (a fixed cost) and ingredients (a variable cost) demonstrates how to determine the variable cost per drink and set a price per cup. Adler uses other scenarios to indicate how changes in supply and demand influence cost, such as when a neighbor opens a competing lemonade stand. Miller's cheery, cartoonlike images add to the upbeat, conversational tone. Text boxes discuss key points, such as the four supply and demand laws and how to calculate each day's variable profit. However, readers will not find the frequently used diagram of supply and demand curves intersecting to determine the equilibrium price, nor will they find back matter explaining concepts above and beyond the text or directing them to additional sources. Unfortunately, not all the words highlighted in the text are defined in the glossary—and not all the glossary terms are highlighted in the text. VERDICT A serviceable introductory economics text for elementary school students.—Meaghan Darling, Long Hill Township Public Library, Gillette, NJ - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/01/2015 Adler and Miller, known for their math-related picture books for kids, now present the laws of supply and demand. The question, “How are prices set?” is answered with the example of a boy opening a lemonade stand. His initial outlay for equipment represents his fixed costs. His supplies and ingredients are his variable costs. Each day, he adjusts his price according to the supply of lemonade (a rival stand increases supply) and the demand for it (a hot day increases demand). Adler lays out the four laws of supply and demand in a logical, methodical way, while Miller brightens the pages with vibrant, stylized digital illustrations. One or two helpful diagrams appear on almost every double-page spread, showing how changes in the narrative can be expressed in terms of either revenue, variable costs, and variable profits, or supply, demand, and prices. Kids cruising through the story may not absorb all the concepts, but those who are motivated to think through the basic economic principles will find the book useful and interesting. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.