And Then We Saw the Bag . . .

Trash to Them, Treasure to Us

by Emma AdBåge

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Part of AdBage Adventures

Pub Date 15 Sep 2026 | Archive Date 15 Aug 2026

Arctis Books USA

Children's Fiction | Multicultural Interest | Parenting, Families, Relationships

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Description

A laugh-out-loud story about kid-parent power dynamics, the vital importance of play, and saving what matters. Because who really decides what is trash and what is a beloved toy? And what would happen if adults didn't always get their way?

"Emma AdBåge KNOWS families, doesn't she? Deeply funny and scathingly true. A tale for any kid who has 'rescued' their beloveds from willfully obtuse adults." -Betsy Bird, School Library Journal Contributor, Author, and Librarian

When the two sisters come home, they notice it right away. The house is too empty. Too tidy. And it smells . . . clean. The parents claim they've just dusted and picked a little, but in the hall there's a black bag, filled with all sorts of "unimportant" and "broken" items.

A rescue operation is immediately launched! A favorite eraser, a beloved trinket box with sand from a vacation and a mini pen from another vacation are dug up. But worst of all – Woody! A piece of wood that's more than just a stick. It's a baby cousin, a friend, and part of the family! How could their parents even think of throwing him away?! The sisters have to do something about this...

A laugh-out-loud story about kid-parent power dynamics, the vital importance of play, and saving what matters. Because who really decides what is trash and what is a beloved toy? And what would...

A Note From the Publisher

Author available for virtual readalouds

Advance Praise

"Emma AdBåge KNOWS families, doesn't she? Deeply funny and scathingly true. A tale for any kid who has 'rescued' their beloveds from willfully obtuse adults." -Betsy Bird, School Library Journal Contributor, Author, and Librarian

“You know when the grown-ups in your house decide to ‘declutter’ aka make you throw away all your favorite stuff? (Rude!) The kids in this story won’t let them get away with it. -Chrissie Wright aka LibraryChrissie (Elementary School Librarian, NBCT. @bookdelightpod Creator & Host

"Every child has experienced the indignity of finding their broken—ahem, prized—possessions in the trash bag. No child (or parent) has ever felt so seen for it until now." -Melissa LaSalle (@bookmommy), bookseller at Old Town Books, Virginia

Available Editions

EDITION	Hardcover
ISBN	9781646900541
PRICE	$18.00 (USD)
PAGES	32

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