Twenty-Two Cents

Twenty-Two Cents chronicles the life of Muhammad Yunus, from his childhood in Bangladesh through his development of microfinance and founding of Grameen Bank. The narrative follows his path from student to professor to Nobel Peace Prize winner. The book details Yunus's observations of poverty in Bangladesh and his innovative solution to help people escape the cycle of destitution. Through a combination of education, banking expertise, and social vision, Yunus created a system to provide small loans to those traditionally excluded from financial services. The biography demonstrates how one person's dedication to solving a social problem can create ripples of change across the world. The themes of economic justice, empowerment, and practical solutions to global challenges form the foundation of this real-life story.

Readers say this picture book biography effectively introduces young audiences to Muhammad Yunus and microfinance concepts. Parents and teachers note it makes complex economic ideas accessible to elementary students. Reviewers highlight the detailed illustrations and clear explanations of how small loans can impact communities. Multiple readers mention successfully using it to teach children about poverty, banking, and social entrepreneurship. Common critiques focus on the book's length and density of information, with some finding it too complex for very young children. A few reviewers wanted more details about the Grameen Bank's current work. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (215 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (23 ratings) "The book explains microfinance in terms kids can grasp without oversimplifying," notes one teacher reviewer. Another parent writes, "The story kept my 8-year-old engaged while teaching valuable lessons about helping others."

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🌟 Muhammad Yunus, the subject of Twenty-Two Cents, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his groundbreaking work in microfinance and poverty alleviation. 📚 Author Paula Yoo is not only a children's book writer but also a TV writer and producer, having worked on shows like The West Wing and Supergirl. 💰 The book's title refers to Yunus's first loan: he lent $27 to 42 women in a Bengali village, which averaged about 22 cents per person. 🌏 The Grameen Bank, founded by Yunus, has now provided over $26.7 billion in small loans to more than 9 million borrowers, 97% of whom are women. ✏️ The book's illustrator, Jamel Akib, created the artwork using chalk pastels, giving the illustrations a soft, authentic feel that captures the warmth of Bangladesh's culture and people.