Mr. Greenspan's Comical Reserve

So, since Greenspan, everyone's heard of the Federal Reserve.  Whether or not they're clear what our national bankers are up to.  Luckily, the Fed's established a crash course in economic theory in comic book form, and you can order up to 35 copies of each, free of charge.  Since the 1950s,
the government has used "everyday language and lively illustrations to
describe the major functions of the Federal Reserve and the role played
by each of the various components of the Fed."  From The Story of Money (pictured) to Once Upon a Dime (explaining market exchanges) to Too Much, Too Little (accounting for business cycles), they're both more absurd and more sophisticated than one would imagine. 

But no big surprise.  Hell, Uncle Sam loves comic books.  The CIA bankrolled a doozy after the Granada exercise.  China had the "Little Red Book," and we've got the Fed's funnies.  Your call which is more honest.  I guess those with an especially grim sense of humor might prefer Mao. 

Anyway, I've got the lot of the comics, and can attest to their intellectual interest.  Aesthetically, they leave a little something to be desired.  But if your kid - or your class - needs a nutshell introduction to economics, the Fed's got you covered: supply & demand, interest, inflation, &c. all get a careful, common sense explanation. 

The catalog is here.