Based on a true story, a vibrant, inspirational picture book about self-reliance and the power of creativity and music, in which a group of hungry homeless kids in 19th century New Orleans build their own musical instruments from discarded items and become a successful band. 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. AGES: 4 to 7 AUTHOR: Michael Mahin is a children’s author, screenwriter, professor, freelance writer, and lecturer. He is also lead guitarist in a well-known Southern California 80s cover band called Neon Nation.