Welcome, Mom’s Choice readers! Today, we’ll be speaking with Alibeth Abreu, who holds an M.Sc. in Personal Finance and is the author of the MCA-winning children’s picture book, The Great Money Adventure. Her book lets readers (ages 6–10) join a group of charming animal friends as they embark on exciting journeys around the world, discovering new cultures and learning valuable lessons about money, saving, and generosity. Through these delightful tales filled with humor, warmth, and imagination, young readers get to explore the basics of financial literacy.

MCA:  Thanks for joining us, Alibeth. Won’t you tell us a bit about yourself?

Personal finance has always fascinated me, to the point that it became the central topic of my thesis during my Master’s in Finance. At the same time, I worked as a full-time assistant professor at Universidad de Los Andes. It was in the classroom where I first noticed that many undergraduate students lacked a solid foundation in financial education. It was a subject rarely addressed and often considered taboo or inappropriate. Talking about money could be perceived as boastful or impolite. In many households, the language around money tends to be limited or even negative, with expressions like “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “it’s hard to earn money.” That observation sparked a deep curiosity in me: Why is talking about money so uncomfortable, even in everyday life?

Over time, I came to understand that this discomfort often begins in childhood. I’m the mother of a 12-year-old girl and, as she grew older, her questions became more thoughtful. One day she asked me, “How can I make money?” Since she had always loved when I made up bedtime stories — her eyes would light up with every twist — I thought it would be a great idea to create stories that teach children about money in a fun and meaningful way, combining real-life lessons with the power of imagination.

Beyond my academic and creative work, I’m passionate about exploring new cultures, traveling, walking, and learning about history. These interests continually inspire me and enrich the storytelling process behind my books.

MCA: How to manage money is such an important lesson to learn. What financial concepts are young readers introduced to?

Through a collection of short stories, children are introduced to essential financial concepts in a playful and engaging way, including:

• Bartering and trade
• Entrepreneurship
• Making smart decisions
• The value of saving
• How banks work
• Creating and managing a budget
• The importance of generosity and sharing

Beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully written, this book offers a joyful and educational approach to help kids build healthy money habits while sparking their curiosity about the world around them.

MCA: What inspired you to become an author, and how does your personal background influence your writing?

Literature has been part of my family for generations. It has always been a way to connect deeply through reading, writing, poetry, and theater. Although my professional background is more focused on business administration and finance, I’ve always been fascinated by the power of storytelling.

The Great Money Adventure is my first children’s book, and writing it has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. Unlike academic or scientific writing, which follows a structured method, children’s literature offered me a sense of creative freedom that I truly enjoyed. It allowed me to combine my passion for financial education with the magic of imagining new worlds and lovable characters.e

MCA: What was your inspiration for writing The Great Money Adventure?

The main inspiration for this book has been my daughter. From a very young age, she has shown a remarkable ability to create meaningful exchanges, think both practically and creatively, and express a naturally entrepreneurial spirit. She enjoys saving with a purpose, and as her mother, I’ve made it a priority to guide and support her by introducing tools like budgeting and helping her develop a thoughtful relationship with money early on.

These experiences made me want to create a story that could benefit not only her, but also other children who are beginning to explore the world of money. The travel aspect of the book came from our shared curiosity about different cultures. I believe that learning about money can also be an opportunity to discover how people live around the world, and to nurture values such as empathy, respect, and generosity.

MCA: Can you share your creative process? How do you generate ideas and bring them to life on the page?

My creative process usually starts with a central theme I want to explore. From there, I brainstorm related topics—things like emotions, everyday situations, or values I want to highlight. Then I imagine the characters: maybe a father and son, or a curious child experiencing something new. I also think about the setting and, most importantly, how the characters relate to one another.

I like to weave a meaningful message or lesson into each story in a way that feels natural. And I always aim for a harmonious ending—something that leaves the reader with a warm, thoughtful feeling. For me, writing is a way to connect with others through emotion and imagination.

MCA: What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope my stories spark meaningful conversations between parents and children, or between educators and students—spaces where they can share perspectives and reflect together. I want the lessons within each story to awaken children’s natural curiosity, becoming part of everyday conversations at home or in the classroom. I also hope the characters and settings come to life in their minds with vivid, lasting images.

More than anything, my wish is for my stories to plant seeds of empathy, creativity, and dialogue that grow over time. I hope they stay with children as they grow, helping them shape a kinder, more thoughtful world full of possibility.

MCA: What do you find most rewarding about the writing process, and the most challenging?

One of the biggest challenges comes right at the beginning—when there’s only the tiniest spark of an idea, so small it feels almost too fragile to touch. In that moment, taking the first step can feel like facing a wall. It’s that quiet, invisible barrier: the fear of the blank page, the not knowing where or how to begin.

But once I move past that stillness, something beautiful starts to unfold. The story begins to flow, the characters take shape, and emotions find their voice. That’s when the most rewarding part of the process begins—the thrill of creation, the joy of watching an idea come to life, and the hope that it might connect with someone else.

Writing, for me, is an act of courage and trust. Every time I manage to turn a tiny spark into a living story, I’m reminded why I love this journey so much. It’s like planting a seed in the dark and believing it will bloom.

MCA: Believing the seed will bloom—what a beautiful image. Tell us, how does your book contribute to promoting family-friendly values or enhancing the lives of your readers?

The heart of my book is to present educational content in a warm and engaging way. Through fun and relatable stories, I introduce ideas about money and financial awareness, sparking curiosity in young readers without overwhelming them.

My goal is to create stories that open the door to important conversations at home—stories that families can enjoy together while learning something valuable along the way. By combining entertainment with meaningful lessons, I hope to make financial education feel approachable, and to plant early seeds of confidence,

responsibility, and curiosity in children’s lives.

MCA: Can you share any memorable moments or feedback from readers that have touched you or reinforced the impact of your work?

I’ve received truly inspiring and magical messages from readers. Knowing that a story written with so much love can reach the heart of a family or leave a lasting lesson in the mind of a curious child is a feeling that’s hard to describe.

It makes me feel like I’ve fulfilled my purpose—not just to teach about money, but also about life, values, and the power of sharing. And I truly believe the message has been understood and embraced, because most of the feedback I receive speaks about how my characters help children understand effort, empathy, and the importance of making thoughtful choices. Those words fill my heart.

MCA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?

I would tell them to embrace the power of words—to create new worlds, spark emotions, and build unique experiences filled with adventure, magic, and truth. Every person has a story worth sharing, and we never know if the words we write might be exactly what someone else has been waiting to hear.

Writing is an act of courage, but also of generosity. So trust your voice, write from the heart, and don’t be afraid to share your view of the world. Because somewhere, someone might find in your story a spark of inspiration, comfort, or hope.

MCA: As an author, what are your future plans or goals?

There were a few topics I didn’t get to explore in this first book, so I’m excited about the idea of writing a second part. I feel there are still more adventures to tell, more values to share, and more questions to spark in young readers.

Writing is something I truly love, so very soon I’ll be back at my screen, starting the first chapter of a new story. My goal is to keep creating books that inspire, teach, and bring families together through meaningful and joyful reading experiences.

MCA: Alibeth, thanks again for sharing your insights on helping children learn about money and nurturing so much more: the values that will stand them in good stead for a lifetime.