Books of Wonder

All That Trash

All That Trash - Main image
$8.99 $17.99 In stock

Category: Products

A garbage barge that can’t find a place to welcome it sparks a recycling movement in the United States in this smart and smelly picture book from the author of Earmuffs for Everyone.

Lowell Harrelson wanted to turn trash into methane gas so he rented a barge called Morbo 4000. His plan was to ship the garbage from New York to North Carolina, but as the barge floated down the coast, no state would let him dock because of smelly waste on board! The barge became a mockery and the butt of many jokes in the media. What started as an attempted business venture turned into quite the predicament for Mr. Harrelson.

Mobro 4000 roamed the seas for forty-five days and traveled a distance of 6,000 miles. While awaiting its fate, the trash floated in New York’s harbor, garnering much attention by onlookers. Green Peace activists put up a large banner across the barge that read, “NEXT TIME…TRY RECYCLING.”

Even though the garbage barge was a farce, the unintended consequence inspired America to find a new way to deal with its trash.

Customer Reviews (4.9 / 5 · 7 reviews)

Abigail N. ★★★★★

I was a bit worried the "smelly" concept would be too silly, but my third grader was completely hooked by the barge's journey and actually asked for more facts about recycling afterward. The illustrations perfectly capture the growing mountain of trash, making the environmental lesson hit home witho

Emma ★★★★★

This book made my kids actually ask questions about where our trash goes, which I didn't expect from a picture book. The detailed illustrations of the garbage barge's journey kept them engaged, and the historical note at the end was a nice surprise.

Alexander ★★★★★

I had no idea a story about a garbage barge could be so engaging—the illustrations really bring the smelly, chaotic journey to life for my kindergartner. We've already read it three times this week, and it's sparked some great conversations about recycling.