Based on a true story, a vibrant, inspirational picture book about
self-reliance and the power of creativity and music, in which a group of
hungry homeless kids in 19th century New Orleans build their own musical
instruments from discarded items and become a successful band.
It's 1895, and ten-year-old Stalebread Charlie and his friend Warm Gravy
roam the streets of New Orleans, homeless and hungry. Stalebread has
heard folks say that music feeds the soul--and he wonders if it could
also fill their bellies. Soon he and his friends are playing instruments
made out of junk--a fiddle from a cigar box, a kazoo from a comb--until
their hats are filled with coins, their bellies are filled with
beignets, and their souls are filled with music. This inspiring
make-lemonade-from-lemons tale includes author/illustrator notes about
the real Stalebread and the research behind the book and a
make-your-own-instrument activity.