Welcome to Elfonomics - where Christmas magic meets real-world thinking.
Every December, the North Pole sparkles with lights, laughter, and lists. But behind the magic of Christmas lies a world of choices, trade-offs, teamwork, and smart decision-making. In Elfonomics: The Enchanted Christmas Adventures in Economics, children are invited on a festive A-Z journey through the elf village, where each letter reveals a new story, a new elf, and a powerful economic idea.
From scarcity and choices to saving and sharing, from trade and value creation to fairness, cooperation, and opportunity cost, Elfonomics gently introduces core economic concepts through storytelling that is imaginative, joyful, and age-appropriate. Each chapter blends Christmas traditions with everyday situations, helping children see how economics shapes not only markets, but also families, communities, and the world around them.
Written by economist and best-selling children's author Dr Helen Hoang, Elfonomics is part of the acclaimed Economics for Kids universe. The book is designed to build early economic and financial literacy while nurturing empathy, ethical thinking, and curiosity. Complex ideas are made simple through festive adventures, relatable characters, and clear explanations that spark meaningful conversations between children and adults.
A unique feature of Elfonomics is its collaborative spirit. The book is illustrated by young artists from different countries, celebrating children not just as learners, but as creators. Their artwork brings the elf world to life and reflects the diversity, creativity, and imagination of children everywhere.
Perfect for the Christmas season and beyond, Elfonomics is ideal for:
- Children aged 7-12
- Family read-alouds and classroom discussions
- Parents and educators seeking meaningful, values-based learning
- Holiday gifting with purpose
More than a Christmas story, Elfonomics is an invitation to explore how the world works - with kindness, creativity, and confidence.
Because even elves need economics.
And children deserve stories that prepare them for the future.
Hoang, Helen: - Dr Helen Hoang is an economist, educator, and best-selling children's author. She earned her PhD in Economics from the Australian National University (ANU) and holds three master's degrees in Economic Policy, Business Administration, and Development Studies from leading universities in Australia, Switzerland, and Vietnam. Her academic excellence was recognised through multiple scholarships during her postgraduate studies.Dr Hoang has worked extensively across economics, data analytics, and public policy. Her professional experience includes contributing to national datasets such as Health Expenditure Australia and Australian Child Well-being Data Assets, and supporting major research and policy initiatives featured in reports by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Her work bridges rigorous economic analysis with real-world social impact.She has also been involved in international development and governance reform projects, including a Swiss-funded initiative focused on public administration reform and grassroots democracy in Vietnam. Through collaborations with national institutions and universities, she helped design mechanisms to improve public service delivery, community participation, and agricultural innovation.Alongside her policy and research career, Dr Hoang is a strategic consultant and educator, delivering workshops on economics, entrepreneurship, and personal development for students, professionals, and organisations. Her work reflects a long-standing commitment to making complex economic ideas accessible and meaningful.Dr Hoang is the founder of Economics for Kids and MBA Kids, educational initiatives inspired by her love for her son and her belief that children deserve early access to economic thinking. She is the author of Economics for Kids Volumes 1 and 2-Amazon best sellers in children's economics-and the creator of Elfonomics: The Enchanted Christmas Adventures in Economics, a festive, story-driven book that blends Christmas magic with real-world economic lessons.Through her books and programs, Dr Hoang's mission is simple: to help children around the world grow into curious, ethical, and confident decision-makers-because even elves, and especially children, need economics.
