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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

Sounds of Trash

Written by Tina Athaide
Illustrated by Neha Rawat
Published by Charlesbridge

When Pran and his friends learn that the neighborhood block party is moved to the park where it won’t have music, they are determined to find a way for it to be part of the celebration. After some trial and error, and more than a few prototypes made from recyclables, they are ready to engineer their way to a jazzy, bhangra-filled day!

Extend the learning beyond the story with expertly crafted back matter, including additional information about sound and the engineering design process and fun STEAM activities.

STEAMWORKS features children of all backgrounds and abilities using scientific and mathematical thinking to solve everyday problems and answer questions that matter to them. Playful stories and extension activities ignite excitement for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and empower children as thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators.

También disponible en Español, Cómo Suena la Basura.

Primary ISBN: 9781623546847
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)

STEAMWORKS Activity Guide (At Home)

Source: Charlesbridge