Margo's Musings: Music Changes Everything!

“The world sends us garbage. We send back music.” ~ Susan Hood, Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay 

This is the true story of how a village turned garbage into music. Ada Rio’s family lives in Cateura, Paraguay. Her town is filled with trash and is actually built on a landfill. Many of the people in the village go through the garbage collecting items, like plastic, which they can trade in for money. Then Favio Chavez arrives and starts teaching about ecological safety, and before long he brings music to the children. When there aren’t enough instruments for everyone who wants to play, he works with them to make unique ones out of the garbage all around. Playing music is hard work, but the children that stick with it learn and get better. Soon the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay is on tour, seeing new places, and even being asked to play with famous rock bands, like Metallica. Music truly changes lives.

The bright colors and textured illustrations really draw in the reader. My sister, Margo, was intrigued by the images. The recycled instruments and scenes were enhanced by the collage style used to create the pages. My heart goes out to the people who live in Carteura, and I know how upset I get when I see litter, so I can only imagine how hard it would be to see so much garbage everywhere. I loved learning how music and the creation of instruments from the materials they salvaged changed their lives. The kids worked hard and learned how to make music, and even though it was not easy, they didn't give up. Their perseverance ended up being able to change their village and the lives of many people in it. Together they made our planet prettier and filled it with good tunes. So often we want something brand new from the store, but if we reuse and recycle, there is less waste and we can help make our planet a more beautiful place.

When Margo and I finished reading she wanted to make music. We looked through our recycling bin and found jars, cardboard tubes, and a coffee can. We made a few instruments, and Margo has loved playing with the “rainmaker” she decorated.  Who knows- maybe one of us will come up with a new instrument or we’ll be inspired to play other instruments. We’re definitely having fun!

Ada’s Violin: The True Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay is an excellent picture book for anyone who likes to learn about people who are making the world a better place. It's a great story to introduce to children that will inspire creativity and to show them what life is like in different places. I especially loved that the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay toured with bands like Metallica and earned money to help build houses in their village. Such an inspiration!

Check out the 60 Minutes Spotlight to see the village and musicians. 

Listen to the band play with Metallica? 

Has anyone else read Ada’s Violin: The True Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay? Or have you read another book by Susan Hood? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading! ~ F