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“DIY saves the day in Athaide and Rawat’s upbeat STEAM story. When it’s announced that a community block party will be moved to a venue that lacks power, a trio of children lament “No electricity meant no booming bhangra beats” until an elder suggests they solve the problem themselves. …Employing muted coloring, digital cartooning incorporates music notes and prototype schematics throughout an enthusiastic tale of invention that eagerly highlights creative problem-solving.”

—Publishers Weekly

“A diverse trio of kids recycles and experiments to create instruments that will enliven the community block party. Pran, Raul, and Mira make lists and sketches and brainstorm the materials required to make their instruments. They gather supplies from other people’s trash and assemble shakers, drums, and stringed (rubber-banded) music makers from different materials that produce different sounds. Their industriousness is observed by neighbors, who are inspired to make their own instruments for what turns out to be a rocking block party. This simple story, told economically and descriptively, neatly encourages recycling while demonstrating the engineering design process.”

—School Library Journal

Cómo Suena la Basura (Sounds of Trash)

Written by Tina Athaide and Anyeliz Pagan Munoz (Translator)
Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Published by Charlesbridge

Cuando Pran y sus amistades se enteran de que la fiesta del vecindario se trasladó al parque donde no habrá música, deciden encontrar la manera de que esta forme parte de la celebración. Después de algunas pruebas y más de un prototipo hecho con materiales reciclables, ¡están listos para ingeniar un día lleno de jazz y bhangra!

Amplía lo aprendido más allá de la historia con el material de apoyo elaborado por expertos que incluye información adicional sobre el sonido y el proceso de ingeniería de diseño y actividades STEAM divertidas.

STEAMWORKS presenta a niños de diversos trasfondos y habilidades que utilizan el pensamiento científico-matemático para solucionar problemas cotidianos y responder a preguntas que les interesan. Estas historias lúdicas y las actividades de extensión despiertan el entusiasmo por la ciencia, la tecnología, la ingeniería, las artes y las matemáticas (STEAM) y empoderan a los niños para pensar, solucionar problemas e innovar.

Also available in English, Sounds of Trash.

Primary ISBN: 9781623546854
Publication Date: August 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented: ,

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 2nd Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Engagement Projects & Resources:

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Engagement Materials:

STEAMWORKS Activity Guide (Schools, Libraries, Classrooms) – In English/En Inglés

STEAMWORKS Activity Guide (At Home) – In English/En Inglés

Source: Charlesbridge