Trade
Children meet barter, exchange and value through story.
THE FUNECONOMIX SERIES
Discover the Island of Alpha, where money becomes an adventure.
Meet the perky, pointy, purple people from the Island of Alpha, very close to the land of Notveryfar, where economics comes alive through storytelling.
Official Book Trailer
Step inside the Island of Alpha
Before children learn economics, they enter a world of markets, mystery, purple people and memorable choices.
Book 1
Now
Available
Now
Available
Published by Austin Macauley Publishers
A Purple Patch!
A Story of an Island Economy
Pete Carnes’ first memories of life on the island of Alpha were of the island’s markets. To him it seemed a magical place. It certainly looked different from the rest of the Island.
Here they bartered, that is to say they traded with one another for their various needs. The Alphaen’s form of trade is exchanging one commodity for another, item for item. It is the one place where the islanders seemed to come to life, to laugh and meet…
What is Funeconomix?
Money ideas hidden inside adventure.
Funeconomix introduces young readers to financial and economic concepts through imaginative storytelling, memorable characters, rhymes and colourful illustrations. Instead of making learning about money and economics feel dry or intimidating, the series helps children understand these ideas through the world of Alpha.
Money
Economic concepts become easier to understand and remember.
Choices
The stories invite children to think about decisions and consequences.
Learning
Story, rhyme and illustration support engagement and understanding.
Meet the Alphaens
The perky, pointy, purple people from the island of Alpha.
Pete Carnes
A young Alphaen discovering the marketplace.
Whyman
Wise, curious and always asking why.
Herman Fis
Fisherman, trader and observer of change.
Nerina & Verity
Talkative, lively and impossible to ignore.
Myone
A character with a special connection to money.
Mr Fruor Fructus
Fruit, flavour and a little entrepreneurship.
About the Author
Maureen du Toit
Maureen du Toit is a proud South African author with Italian and Irish heritage, a strong grounding in finance, banking and business, and a creative flair for making financial literacy approachable.
Across her varied career, she has worked as a banker, marketer, trainer and financial adviser, and has written educational material for learners and banking students.
Through Funeconomix, Maureen brings together her financial insight and imagination to help young readers understand money, economics and business ethics through engaging, story-driven narratives.
Testimonials
What readers and educators say
It is such a fun and engaging way to learn about economics. These are life skills our children will hugely benefit from.
Kelly FowlerMaureen writes with such imagination and creativity. She has the ability to explain difficult concepts in the simplest way.
Bryan HirschMaureen du Toit is as delightful as her characters, a talented author, with an economic background that is very impressive.
Julie AngersonBuy / Contact
Begin the journey into Alpha.
Book 1 of The Funeconomix Series is available in paperback and eBook from Austin Macauley Publishers.
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AA