And Then We Saw the Bag . . .

Name: And Then We Saw the Bag . . .
Author: https://www.simonandschuster.net/authors/Emma-Adbage/235488438
ISBN: 9781646900541

Trash to Them, Treasure to Us

Part of Adbage Adventures

By Emma Adbage

Translated by Melissa Bowers

LIST PRICE $18.00

Rave and Reviews

About The Book

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 AdBage 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...

About The Author

Emma Adbage

Emma AdBåge is a Swedish illustrator and author who debuted in 2001 and has since illustrated several titles, both her own and others. She has won several awards, including the Elsa Beskow Plaque and the Lennart Hellsing Prize. In 2018 she won the August Prize for THE HOLE BEHIND THE GYM, and was also awarded the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 2022 for the same title. Her works have been translated into over 20 languages.

Product Details

Publisher: Arctis (September 15, 2026)
Length: 32 pages
ISBN13: 9781646900541
Grades: P - 3
Ages: 4 - 8
Lexile ® 300 The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

"Every child has experienced the indignity of finding their broken-ahem, prized-possessions in the trash. No child (or parent) has ever felt so seen for it until now."

– Melissa LaSalle, Children's Bookseller, The Book Mommy

"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.

"Good news: if you can read this book without laughing, then decluttering will be banned from your house forever."

– LibraryChrissie, Book Delight

The first rule of the bag: Never let the children see the bag! The ultimate cautionary tale (for grown-ups) and triumphant rescue adventure (for kids). Boy, this book is real! Too real? Maybe for any parent that has made the egregious error of not dumping the evidence of their crimes. 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. If you have ever made the critical mistake of letting a kid see "the bag", this book is going to hit home hard.

– Betsy Bird, author, librarian at Evanston Public Library and the former Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library.