This work aims to show what economics' possibilities are for interpreting the phenomenon of children's and children's literature. In this regard, we must talk about a double approximation: a) a more restricted view of the economy in which the characteristics of children's and young people's books as a product b) an approximation as a rational choice theory from which one can attempt to explain the decisions of creators, distributors and consumers of children's and youth literature. Finally, from this second perspective too, a vision is presented on policies for promoting reading. All in all, therefore, we call on the ability and the opportunity of the economy to analyse in greater depth all those social facts that relate to the practice and dissemination of culture in general, and to the analysis of children's and youth literature in particular.