Conner and Here Comes the Garbage BargeGarbage might seem like an unusual subject for a picture book, but Here Comes the Garbage Barge (Schwartz & Wade, 2010) turns trash into a compelling story using a real-life situation for inspiration.

The book, written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Red Nose Studios, shares the story of a garbage barge that leaves Long Island planning to dump its stinky cargo at a landfill.

But that landfill turns it away. So does another, and another, and another, leaving the barge getting smellier and smellier with no place to dock.

What will the barge’s captain do? Let’s ask today’s guest reviewer, Conner:

Our reviewer: Conner

Age: 6

Things I like to do: Read books, write, watch movies, swim, play baseball and soccer, go to waterparks and ride rollercoasters.

This book was about: A small city trying to find a place for their garbage to be stinky. They wanted it to stink somewhere else. So they put it on a boat called the garbage barge, and it sailed and sailed. But everywhere the boat stopped, everyone said, “No! Not here!”

The best part was when: They decided to burn the garbage to get rid of it. Also, I like the part when the Army guys in Mexico and Belize stopped the garbage barge from stopping on their land.

I laughed when: This is not really a funny book. It is action packed and serious. Though I did laugh when the sisters said, “What the hairy heck?!”

I was worried that: The ship’s captain would get put in jail by the police and the Army guys for trying to dump the garbage!

I was surprised when: The boat sailed for 162 days!

This book taught me: Don’t make too much garbage! And recycle!

Three words that best describe this book are: “Serious.” “Stinky.” “Interesting.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “What the hairy heck? That ain’t right! Call the law!”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The Army guys.

You should read this book because: It’s cool! It has Army guys and teaches you a good lesson — not to make too much garbage!

Thanks, Conner!

Want to learn more about the story behind this story? Read this article.

If you’d like to learn more about the book’s author, Jonah Winter, here’s his biography. And here’s an interview with him. 

If you’d like to learn more about Red Nose Studios, which illustrated this book, check out this interview. Or watch this YouTube video.