Stalebread Charlie and the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band
Sale price
$1673
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2018

Stalebread Charlie and the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band

By Michael Mahin, Don Tate (Illustrator)

Homeless kids in 1895 New Orleans turn junk into music, changing their fate.

3.4/5 Goodreads · 46 ratings
40 pages
$17.99Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In 1895 New Orleans, ten-year-old Stalebread Charlie and his friend Warm Gravy are homeless and hungry. Inspired by the idea that music feeds the soul, they craft instruments from discarded items. As their makeshift band plays, coins fill their hats, beignets fill their bellies, and music fills their souls. Can creativity and determination transform their lives? Discover this uplifting tale of resilience and ingenuity, where music becomes a lifeline and a path to hope.

From the publisher

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.

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
40
Reading age
4–7
Audience
Picture
Lexile
AD610L
Themes & topics
Books about entrepreneurshipBooks about artBooks about musicBooks about performing artsBooks about history
For readers who can't stop at one

The next favorite is already out there.

Age-appropriate books selected to help their love of reading grow, delivered right to their door.

Find their book club
Bookroo club box with books for growing readers
The author

More from Michael Mahin

Explore Michael's bookshelf
Muddy
Sale price
$1799

Muddy

Ages 4–8 · 2017

William Still and His Freedom Stories

Ages 6–10 · 2020

Ron's Big Mission

Ages 6–8 · 2009

Poet

Ages 6–10 · 2015
Your next read

Books that feel like this one

See all similar books

Terrible Storm

Ages 4–8 · 2007

Juneteenth

Ages 4–8 · 2023

Making Their Voices Heard

Ages 4–8 · 2020

Time to Make Art

Ages 2–5 · 2024

A Big Cheese for the White House

Ages 4–8 · 1999
La Guitarrista
Sale price
$1999

La Guitarrista

Ages 4–8 · 2023
Ella Queen of Jazz
Sale price
$1799

Ella Queen of Jazz

Ages 5–8 · 2017

The Piano Recital

Ages 3–7 · 2012
The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
~4
F&P level
~O
Publication
Published
July 10, 2018
Publisher
Clarion Books
Edition
Language
English
Type
Picture Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780547942018

Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.

Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.

Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo