Two new children’s book spotlights real role models for boys in St. Maarten

GREAT BAY--Author Tamara Leonard on Wednesday, October 15, her birthday, announced the availability of two new children's books under the Tamleo Books brand; "The Money Masters", inspired local financial experts Ahmed Bell, Vasco Daal, and Quincy Lont and "Banking Adventures with Mr. T", inspired by local banker Rolando Tobias. Both are currently available on Amazon.

The books highlights St. Maarten’s new generation of heroes, men who author Tamara Leonard believes should serve as positive role models, especially for boys. Rolando Tobias, Ahmed Bell, Vasco Daal, and Quincy Lont represent professionals whose careers and values can inspire young boys to aim high and follow meaningful paths, offering real-life examples to look up to instead of the negative influences that often capture attention today.

Money Masters follows three friends from a small Caribbean town who choose purpose over distraction, then return home as professionals determined to help their community. Written for readers in grades K1 to 7, the story centers on three boys who grow up to become an accountant, a financial analyst, and a tax lawyer, then use their skills to guide local businesses and families.

The narrative begins under a mango tree, where the boys listen to adults talk about money worries and promise to find solutions when they grow up. Years later they keep that promise. One helps a rental operator track income and expenses, one shows a tour company owner how to plan for growth, and one teaches a busy consultant to stay organized and file on time. Each scene turns complex ideas into simple steps, and shows how discipline and focus lead to steady progress.

Money Masters serves as both story and toolkit. It explains what accountants, financial analysts, and tax lawyers do, why those roles matter in everyday island life, and how basic practices like record keeping, saving, and planning strengthen households and small enterprises. The message is clear, boys can look up to professionals who build, serve, and lead, instead of negative influences that pull them off course.

Teachers and parents will find ready made conversation starters. The closing pages invite adults to build life skills with children, including discipline, communication, gratitude, peer pressure, anger management, character, instinct, and asking for help. The format supports classroom discussion, after school programs, and family reading time.

Representation is central. The characters grow up in familiar places, they solve practical problems for neighbors and local businesses, and they model service, teamwork, and accountability. The tone is positive and direct, designed to help boys see a path from curiosity to competence to contribution.

Illustrations and layout reinforce the learning goals with clear scenes, everyday language, and short explanations that children can apply right away, at home or in school projects. The result is a story that reads quickly, then invites a second read with guided questions and simple actions.

In Mr. T’s Banking Adventure, a wise banker nearing retirement sets out on one final mission, to reveal the secrets of banking to the next generation. From lively classrooms and bustling playgrounds to parks and cultural centers, Mr. T brings banking to life, showing children how saving, borrowing, and dreaming big can strengthen an entire community.

This inspiring story is more than a children’s tale, it is a call to every parent, grandparent, and mentor. By opening the conversation about money early, families give young minds the confidence and skills to handle real world finances long before adulthood. Banking Adventures with Mr. T is available on Amazon, as is Money Masters.

Tamara Leonard writes for children with a simple purpose, to help them grow in confidence and kindness. Her stories are set in places that feel like home, her lessons are practical, and her voice is warm and steady. She believes every child can make good choices, learn useful skills, and become a positive force in the community, and she writes so that families and teachers have one more tool to make that happen.

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