Economic Education as Explored in the Novels by Wojciechowska and Beręsewicz

Abstract

In this article, we refer to novels by Sylwia Wojciechowska for early school-age children—Jules and the Hole in the Budget (2017) and Jules and This Whole Business (2020)—and to a novel by Paweł Beręsewicz—Money or Cash (2014)—for early- and middle-grade students. Comparative analysis of the semantic content of the texts focuses on selected economic themes in these novels. The study examines the financial behaviors and attitudes of the characters, as well as the economic upbringing styles of their parents.

The research aims to demonstrate the educational potential of novels on economic topics; therefore, we analyze selected excerpts, focusing on aspects such as children's financial resources, financial education at home, peer education, and even economic violence by adults toward children. A clear method of explaining economics (the style adopted by Wojciechowska) and, at the same time, a caricatured and extravagant narrative style (dominant in Beręsewicz’s work) allow readers to choose texts that align with their age, interests, and literary preferences. The analyzed novels raise questions such as how to be a parent in times of liquid modernity. We argue that economic education incorporated into the structure of a literary text is an compelling way to initiate discussions about economics and financially responsible behavior. This article contributes to the discussion on financial education through literature.