Home
New Book Store

Building an Orchestra of Hope

How Favio Chavez Taught Children to Make Music from Trash

by Carmen Oliver , Luisa Uribe

Hardcover: $18.99

In Stock

> Details

ISBN: 9780802854674

Page Count: 44

Publication Date: 10/25/2022

Trim Size: 8 x 11

> Description

Series: Stories from Latin America

An exuberantly illustrated true story about innovation, community, and the power of music.

In Cateura, Paraguay, a town built on a landfill, music teacher Favio Chavez longed to help the families living and working amid the hills of trash. How could he help them find hope for the future? Favio started giving music lessons to Cateura’s children, but soon he encountered a serious problem. He had more students than instruments!

But Favio had a strange and wonderful idea: what if this recyclers’ town had its own recycled orchestra? Favio and Colá, a brilliant local carpenter, began to experiment with transforming garbage into wonder. Old glue canisters became violins; paint cans became violas; drainpipes became flutes and saxophones. With repurposed instruments in their hands, the children of Cateura could fill their community—and the world—with the sounds of a better tomorrow.

Based on an incredible true story, Building an Orchestra of Hope offers an unforgettable picture of human dignity reclaimed from unexpected sources. Carmen Oliver’s inviting words and Luisa Uribe’s dynamic illustrations create a stirring tribute to creativity, resilience, and the transformative nature of hope.

> Reviews - /

The Horn Book Magazine
"An inspiring picture book that demonstrates how environmentalism and the arts can unite to bring joy to an entire community."
Kirkus Reviews
“Like a dose of pure inspiration.”
Booklist
“An excellent example of innovation and STEAM in action, this title celebrates the joy and possibilities found in music.”
School Library Journal
“A strong nonfiction selection to convey that anything is possible, and that even garbage can lead to hope.”

Swipe to view more.