May 2, 2022
With whimsical storytelling, Smith and Khatun offer an unexpected take on an indestructible parent-child relationship. Jake’s mother adores dumpster diving, and turning her discoveries into unique objects—“where most people see Trash and Junk, she sees Opportunity and Treasure.” Amid bright-colored scenes of the brown-skinned pair wheeling home an assortment of “must-have” curbside finds via Mom’s wheelchair, Jake offers exaggerated narration of his mom’s trash triumphs. “A damp bedraggled rat” gets turned into “quite a decent dog,” and a “rusty old truck” is transformed into a flower-filled planter. Trouble ensues after a curmudgeonly neighbor’s thoughtless comment causes Jake to worry that his mom’s tinkering will extend to changing him. Luckily, though, Mom also knows how to fix misunderstandings. Loosely drawn pencil sketches by Khatun are colored digitally with a rainbow range of flat hues and exhibit a style that well suits the cluttered, casual aesthetic propelling this intergenerational story. Ages 5–8.