Timeless wisdom translated into clear, modern language for a new generation.
First Coins follows Nadan and his friends as they navigate earning, saving, spending, and investing in a world of constant noise and instant choices. Small decisions with their first coins shape the rest of their lives.

"Learn these lessons thoroughly, that ye may also plant in your own purse the seed of wealth."George S. Clason, The Richest Man in Babylon

Inspired by the classics, the Foundations series turns core principles into stories, examples, and practical guidance that fit today's world.
This is not about getting rich quickly. It is about building independence, stability, and long-term thinking, one decision and one coin at a time.
Where money comes from, and why effort and skill are worth something.
Keeping a part of everything you earn, a little at a time.
Telling wants from needs in a world built to tempt.
Putting saved coins to work so that they grow.
Friends, choices and consequences they will recognise, with the lessons carried by the story.
A way into the talks about money that are easy to put off, in words a child can make their own.
Clear, connected lessons that fit naturally into teaching.
Enquire about school copiesJames joins Denise Matthews to talk about entrepreneurship, financial literacy, the value of long-term thinking and the story behind First Coins.
Watch on GBC →A conversation about the book, the lessons inside it, and why children are never too young to start learning about money.
James appears as a panel guest on GBC's current affairs programme, discussing the four-day working week.
Read on GBC →A centuries-old tradition of dialogue, scholarship, and storytelling.
Founded by Captain (later Colonel) Drinkwater, the Gibraltar Garrison Library is a monument to the Rock's intellectual history. For over 200 years, it has served as a sanctuary for researchers and a hub for the Gibraltar Chronicle. It represents a commitment to preserving knowledge at the crossroads of the Mediterranean.
First published in 1801, the Gibraltar Chronicle is part of Gibraltar's living record, preserving the Rock's public story across generations through changing times.
Gibraltar has long captured the imagination of writers and travellers, serving as a powerful symbol of endurance and the gateway between worlds.
Our literary landscape is shaped by our language. The blend of English and Spanish, often manifesting as our local Llanito, creates a perspective that is uniquely Gibraltarian: international in outlook, yet deeply rooted in the local community and its values of family and resilience.