For Alex Ryan, writing has always been a lifeline. What began as journaling about her day quickly expanded into poetry, short stories, music, and anything that allowed her to take what she felt internally and give it shape on the page. English was always her favorite subject in school. Grammar, storytelling, and expression all felt natural. “Any way that I could express myself and make what was inside of me real, that’s what I loved to do,” she says.
Years later, that lifelong passion would evolve into something far greater than personal expression. Alex is the creator of Zina Bina Learns the Value of Money, a vibrant children’s book that introduces financial literacy in a playful, accessible way. The title character, Zina Bina, was inspired by Alex’s daughter, whose big personality and joyful spirit made her seem, in Alex’s words, “like a little book character.” Originally imagined more than a decade ago, the story was shelved as life shifted and responsibilities grew.
Last November, Alex felt called to return to it. This time, the character would carry not only her daughter’s bubbly energy, but also Alex’s own hard-earned wisdom about money.
Raised with basic financial principles, budget carefully, pay bills on time, respect credit, Alex understood the concepts, but not how to apply them practically. As a young adult and later a single mother, that gap in understanding led to financial mistakes that lingered longer than the decisions themselves.
“It’s easy to make a mistake,” she reflects, “but you pay for it so long after that.”
Determined to change her trajectory, Alex immersed herself in financial education. She learned that literacy extends far beyond saving and budgeting. It includes mindset, investment strategy, discipline, and understanding how money can work for you rather than against you. As she began teaching her teenage daughter what she was learning, she realized that these lessons needed to start much earlier.
“Children develop their money mindset between the ages of five and seven,” she explains. “If we’re not giving them healthy information, they’re forming their own beliefs, often based on scarcity or fear.”
That insight became the foundation for Zina Bina’s story. Through bright illustrations and relatable scenarios, the book breaks down big financial ideas into digestible, engaging lessons. Alex describes it as more than just a picture book. “It’s a movement. It’s something families can return to as their child grows.”
Self-publishing the book has been both rewarding and humbling. Alex candidly admits she learned many lessons the hard way, navigating print-on-demand services, royalty structures, and distribution fees without a full understanding at first. “I made mistakes because I didn’t have all the information,” she says. “But you learn, and you do it better the next time.”
A key part of the book’s magic lies in her collaboration with illustrator Marcin Piwowarski. What began as a professional partnership evolved into a genuine creative friendship. Together, they spent months perfecting Zina Bina’s look and personality. “When you have alignment creatively, you create better,” Alex says. That trust and openness shine through in the finished product.
Today, Alex sees her work as advocacy as much as artistry. Her message to parents is simple but urgent: start the conversation early.
“If we can teach kids songs and show lines, we can teach them about money,” she says. “Open the dialogue. Make it fun. Break it down.”
Through Zina Bina, Alex Ryan is equipping the next generation with tools many adults wish they’d had. And in doing so, she’s turning her personal journey into something purposeful, practical, and profoundly impactful.
Visit zinabinaworld.com to learn more.