Author: Robert T. Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter, CPA

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2005

ISBN: 0316000477

Genre: Children's Comic Book

This review was contributed by CAROLYN HOWARD-JOHNSON &CLICK TO VIEW Carolyn  Howard-Johnson's Reviews

With all the hullabaloo over graphic novels, the idea of a comic book for kids has been relegated to the equivalent of no news at all.  Escape from the Rat Race: How to Become A Rich Kid By Following Rich Dad's Advice is about to change that. How can it not?  Here is a revival of comic book kitsch put to good, solid (but still entertaining!) use.   

Robert T. Kiyosaki has written a New York Times Bestseller before.  With that kind of fanfare, this one is sure to follow.  With Sharon L. Lechter, CPA, he presents the kind of financial wisdom that goes way beyond, “Take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves” that most of us were raised on.  He introduces terms that some children never hear until they take their first economics class and shows--pictorially, of course--how a youngster can put the concepts they represent immediately to work.  For good measure he also throws in a couple of subtle lessons on values and ethics.

This book is one of a series of books that teach children about money including Cashflow for Kids, Cashflow 101, and Rich Dad, Poor Dad for Teens.

This story is illustrated in two different styles. I prefer the one that looks vaguely like a Tim Allen movie--artistic washes, subtle tones.  I wasn't as taken with the brightly colored character segments. They were a little too Ninja Turtleish for me.  But, I am sure, kids will love them and more importantly--for the parents at least--they are sure to absorb some sound ideas about ensuring their own futures.