When visitors come to Connecticut’s booth at the Parade of States at the National Book Festival in Washington DC on September 1st, they will find Ada’s Violin by Connecticut author Susan Hood as the 2018 selection.

This story, suitable for ages 4-8, tells the true story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, an orchestra made up of children playing instruments built from recycled trash.

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option…until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash. It was a crazy idea, but one that would leave Ada—and her town—forever changed. Now, the Recycled Orchestra plays venues around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation.

Come visit us on September 1, 2018 at the Walter E. Washington Conference Center in Washington, DC and see what a recycled instrument looks and sounds like! Pick up a map of all the states and territories, get them stamped at each booth and win a prize! Hope we see you there.