"On Christmas morning, Nelson had a gift
for each of his siblings.
Each gift had been found and fixed.
Each had a story.
Each was special in its own way."
As happens so often when I find a new picture book biography, I learn about a person new to me. It is always a lovely surprise to discover how they have made a difference in the world. Meeting Nelson Molina fills me with love and appreciation for the work he has done and the lives he has touched with that work.
Nelson introduces himself in the forward to this wonderful picture book about a man who grew up with very little and learned the importance of the little things the family did have. His mother's wise guidance taught him not to discard anything that could be used again. Taking that lesson to heart in his job as a sanitation worker in The Barrio in New York City for 34 years, Nelson spent much of his time working on creating a museum called Treasures in the Trash; it houses forty-five thousand items he found in the garbage, all cleaned, repaired, and arranged for visitors to see. There is, indeed, beauty in what many consider useless junk. He asks readers to look for 'the value in everything'.
Andrew Larsen shares Nelson's remarkable story from his early years as a collector. He found wood scraps on his way to school, took them home and his mother taught him to make birdhouses - expert advice from a true recycler. Nelson collected stamps, and displayed them in ways that interested others: by color, theme, faraway places. Anything he found that could be rescued, he rescued it. He knew there would be someone out there who would love and appreciate it.
When he grew up, he became a trash collector in the neighborhood he loved. It was hard work. There were times when his interest was piqued by one of the bags he was collecting. Upon inspection, he always found something that could be saved. That led to his decision to begin to make a display at work for others to see. Every item was special to Nelson and he found a place for each.
As the display grew, it told the story of the neighborhood and the people who lived there. Close to the Museum of Modern Art, it is seen today by thousands of people from around the world when they visit New York City.
"It's an invitation to think differently
about the things we throw away.
It's Nelson Molina's gift to us all."
Two final pages are given to the 4 RS, upcycling, ways to use what many consider throwaways, and photos of Nelson and his museum of treasures.
Another hero discovered thanks to Andrew Larsen. I love it! Don't miss it.
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