CARBOOT KARMA | Free Children Book
Nov 27, 2025
When Aiden spots a pair of trainers he longs for, he realises he’ll need to find a way to earn the money himself. With his mum’s encouragement, he tries something new—selling his old toys, books, and clothes at a car boot sale. But what Aiden discovers is bigger than money: kindness, generosity, and the joy of giving. This free illustrated kids’ book is a heart-warming tale about good karma, family, and finding treasures in unexpected places.
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Aiden came to a stop on his way back from the park. There before him was a shop window. Inside that shop window was a pair of trainers calling his name. White with blue stripes.
‘This is what “love at first sight” means,’ he thought.
“Mama!” Aiden called, pulling on his mama’s coat towards the shop, “Please, can I get them? Please, please, please!”
Mama sighed. “I’m really sorry, sweetie; you know we can’t afford them. Not with your sister’s new school uniform and all the bills and…”
Aiden understood and hugged her legs. “It’s okay.”
The family continued on their journey home.
But Aiden thought about those shoes all afternoon and all evening, too.
The next day, Aiden woke up and was set on getting those shoes.
‘Hmm…’ he thought, ‘Christmas has just been, and my birthday is too far away.’
At breakfast, Mama could tell that Aiden still had his mind on the trainers, so she made a suggestion.
“Why don’t you try to find or make your own money?”
Aiden thought about this for a while: “How do I do that?”
“Well,” Mama said, “when I was a little girl, we used to make lemonade stands and sell fresh, ice-cold lemonade throughout the summer.”
Aiden sighed. “It’s too cold for lemonade,” he replied, looking out the window to the frosty blue.
After breakfast, Aiden searched high and low around the house for any lost change. He checked in between cushions, under the sofa, inside jars, and even on top of the fridge.
He turned each and every one of his trouser pockets inside out. But all Aiden could find were a few pennies, a spare button, his little sister’s hair clip, and plenty of dust bunnies.
‘It’s no use.’
Later on that day, Mama asked Aiden if he would like to come to the shop. So they put on their coats and shoes and headed to their local charity shop.
Aiden and his sister often found their toys and clothes here. “The second hand is more affordable,” Mama would say, but Aiden didn’t mind. He often found amazing treasures, like limited edition clothes and really old books, there.
As they searched the shelves, racks, and rails, Aiden spotted something that caught his eye. He picked up a flyer that read ‘CAR BOOT SALE’ and it was for tomorrow!
“Mama, what is a car boot sale?”
Mama explained that people sell the things they don’t use anymore out of the boot of their cars.
This really interests Aiden. He had lots of things he didn’t use anymore.
“But what if you don’t have a car?”
“Well, some people just lay a blanket out on the ground,” Mama told Aiden.
“Can we do that?” he asked.
“Sure,” Mama agreed.
So, Aiden raced home from the charity shop and quickly began going through all of his things.
He made a huge pile of toys he didn’t play with anymore, books he didn’t read anymore, and clothes that didn’t fit him anymore.
His mama and little sister also added a few of their old things to the pile.
The family woke up early the next morning and packed their waggon full of items and lunch. They walked down the street to a huge field, where they saw lots of cars with open boots.
‘That must be it,’ Aiden thought excitedly.
His little sister ran ahead to find a nice big spot in between other sellers. The family laid out their blanket with all their items ready to sell.
Aiden was so surprised at how many people came to look around their stall. He met other young boys who had been searching for his old toys and were in need of some new clothes.
He met adults who taught him how to count the change and haggle new prices. He was so lost in all the car- boot excitement that he nearly forgot to eat his lunch.
‘Time flies when you’re having fun,’ he thought as his Mama began to pack up.
She suggested that Aiden and his little sister go and look around the other stalls while she sold the last few items. So, Aiden took a handful of coins from his profit, and hand in hand, he and his sister looked at the car boots full of treasures.
This made Aiden even more excited. There were people selling all sorts of things, from tables to typewriters, vintage records to wedding dresses, homemade soaps to a barely warm school uniform perfect for his little sister! Without a second thought, the pair darted past all the other stalls, and Aiden used his coins to pay for it.
“Mama is going to be so happy!” Aiden smiled.
As they rushed back to share the good news, something caught Aiden’s eye. A flash of white with blue…
‘Could it be?’ he thought.
He swivelled around to see the pair of trainers he had been working so hard to buy.
He ran over to the stall, saying, ‘This can’t be real?!’
Aiden could not believe his eyes. In his hand, he held the exact pair of white trainers with blue stripes in the perfect size and in the perfect condition.
“Can I help?” the seller asked.
“Uh, yes…” Aiden stuttered, still in shock, “How much for these...please?”
“£10,” the seller replied.
Aiden pulled out the remaining change from his pockets. He only had £8 left…
“I’m sorry, sir,” Aiden said in a disappointed tone as he handed the trainers back.
But the seller did not accept them. “They’re all yours, boy! I watched you selflessly spend your money to help your little sister and Mama and for that, you deserve them.”
Left speechless, tears began to fill Aiden’s eyes.
“Are...are...are you sure? Th....th...thank you...so much!”
After thanking the nice seller over and over again, Aiden and his little sister ran back to their Mama.
“Oh, you make me so proud!” Mama cheered, hugging Aiden. She was so surprised and grateful to the seller and for Aiden’s kindness.
And from then on, Aiden continued to make his Mama proud…
Aiden turned his skills into a business. He started to buy unwanted toys, books, and clothes from his classmates, and then every few weeks he’d load his waggon up full of items to sell at the car boot sale.
He sold them for more money than he paid to people who wanted and needed them more. Aiden even continued to find his very own treasures.
He loved seeing how much joy he could bring to people’s lives, just like his new favourite pair of trainers brought to his.
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