Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don't) Throw Away

Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don't) Throw Away

Andrew Larsen, Oriol Vidal (Illustrator)
$18.99
Publish Date:
Publisher:
Sourcebooks Explore
ISBN:
9781728283517
Pages:
40
Age Range:
4 - 8
Grade Range:
P - 3
Language:
English
Either on our shelves or able to get quickly

Description

"Informative and inspirational... will have readers rethinking the value of items that appear seemingly worthless. Highly recommended." — School Library Journal, STARRED Review

A picture book about what we throw away, and why it might be worth keeping!

What if everywhere you looked, you saw something to make? Instead of seeing something broken, you saw something to fix? Instead of seeing something to throw out, you saw something to give away? This is how Nelson Molina sees the world. A former employee for the New York City sanitation department, Nelson saved over 45,000 objects from the garbage to fix and show his community through his museum, Treasures in the Trash.

Explore the hidden potential in what we often discard and think differently about consumption, waste, and the impact of small actions. With themes of upcycling, anti-consumerism, love for community, and finding joy, Gifts from the Garbage Truck inspires kids to think creatively and curiously about what they do (and don't) throw away!

Often, Nelson came across oddly shaped garbage bags.

They clinked and clanked and jingled and jangled.

Is there something more than garbage in here? Nelson would wonder. Is there something someone might love?

"I knew it!" he'd exclaim, tearing the bag open and discovering a new gift from the trash. 

Nelson didn't throw the objects into the back of the truck with everything else.

He had a better idea.

About the Author

Andrew Larsen has written more than twenty books for children, including The Man Who Loved Libraries: The Story of Andrew Carnegie, The Bagel King and A Squiggly Story. His books have been nominated for awards in both Canada and the United States. Andrew began writing for children when he became a stay-at-home dad. His kids are all grown up now, but he continues to write. Andrew lives in Toronto, Canada with his wife and his dog, Sally.



Oriol Vidal is an illustrator and storyboard artist living in Barcelona, Spain. His client list includes publishing houses like Scholastic, Harper Collins, MacMillan, and Simon & Schuster. Vidal has also worked on several animated television productions, including projects by Cartoon Saloon, Cartoon Network, Aardman, and Disney. When he is not working, Oriol likes to go out with his family and cooking. Pastry in particular.

Praise for Gifts from the Garbage Truck: A True Story About the Things We (Don't) Throw Away

Winner 2024 Northern Lights Book Award

Winner 2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers (CBC)

Finalist 2025 Green Earth Book Award




"A reminder that we can discover beauty, joy, and worth from the materials right in front of us." — Horn Book magazine

"[A] fresh look at consuming less and reusing creatively." — Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review

"An unusual storybook written with a keen sense of what appeals to children and illustrated with a strong sense of form, line, color, and shadow, this beautiful picture book tells a story and makes certain points without becoming didactic." — Booklist, STARRED Review

"Informative and inspirational... will have readers rethinking the value of items that appear seemingly worthless. Highly recommended." — School Library Journal, STARRED Review

"A worthy takeaway about finding beauty in the most unlikely of places." — Kirkus Reviews

"Useful in showing children how they can repair items rather than immediately throwing them away when they become damaged." — Youth Services Book Review