Glamorous Garbage by Barbara Johansen Newman {Giveaway Winner Announced}

Are you a thrifter? Self proclaimed Yard Sale Queen? Upcycler extraordinaire?
Do you remember being that way as a kid? Oh, I do! I loved going to garage sales with my mom when I was little. We’d find everything under the sun, and I credit that time spent to a bit of my creativity now when it comes to before and after projects I love to do.

In the new children’s book Glamorous Garbage by Barbara Johansen Newman, we meet a very creative kid, Bobbie (who you may remember meeting in the book Glamorous Glasses). And she is a collector. 


She’s been collecting her favorite things for a while, and it’s reached a point that it’s becoming hard to see the floor in her bedroom. Her mom isn’t happy, her cousin Joanie isn’t happy, and even Bobbie isn’t having fun playing in there any more. Something has to give.

Even she realizes it’s no fun when you’re playing and end up hitting your head on things, and misplace the toys you’re right in the middle of playing with!

Sound familiar to anyone? I have a feeling we DIYers and treasure hunters can maybe relate!

Glamorous Garbage is a picture book for kids who have a creative flair for collecting–those who can’t resist picking up items at yard sales and can’t let go of stuff. Sometimes those same kids need help dealing with all the mess, too.

Bobbie’s room is full of stuff—SO full, that it’s hard for her and her “best cousin,” Joanie, to find space to play. When Bobbie’s mom gives her a two–week deadline to clear out the clutter, Bobbie has an idea–instead of taking stuff out of her room, she brings garage–sale finds and other glamorous garbage in. Will Bobbie transform the chaos into a beautiful big–kid room? This title weaves together three appealing themes: letting go of toys and dealing with a messy room, turning trash into treasure, and recycling and repurposing—a part of every school curriculum from kindergarten up.

The author herself is passionate about collecting. Here’s a peek at her house from her blog.

As a mom, something I really enjoyed in Glamorous Garbage is the way Bobbie interacts with her mom and cousin. I think it’s great that both of them were honest with Bobbie, but remained encouraging and not discouraging. I also appreciate that her mom and cousin (while fed up with her “hoarding” of old toys) still allowed her to think outside the box while she made over her room. They help her see a problem and support her way of trying to solve it.
I love to help my own kids with honesty and encouragement when they need it, while allowing them to remain true to themselves and be expressive in their own ways.

Make sure you check out the Glamorous Garbage website for fun activities in the playroom, a curriculum guide, blog, and more! 

Do you, your children, or someone you know have a creative flair for collecting? Is there someone you know who could use a little encouragement of their own that would enjoy a copy of Glamorous Garbage? If so, let me know and you could win your very own copy!

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