Mr. Roll Finds New Life: Let’s Upcycle

K-Gr 3–In a steadily growing canon, another picture book promoting reusing and recycling trash. In this one, Mr. Roll is a hard worker who enjoyed his job happily as “he turned and he churned, he reeled and he wheeled, until he got thinner.” When he is thrown into a cardboard box with other recyclables, a seasoned paper towel roll tells him they’ll be going to the recycling center where they’ll be turned into toilet paper. Oh, dear, Mr. Roll knows what happens to toilet paper! Thankfully, a boy takes them both to school where there is a community project to turn recyclables into art, games, and toys. Mr. Roll has a new life not as trash, but as the little boy who saved him says, “treasure.” The artwork is bright and detailed with spreads showing Mr. Roll’s path and the people in his life. At the end of the book, there is an information page and diagram showing where trash goes, and the many options for Mr. Roll’s journey. Instructions for making two crafts from recyclable materials are also included.