Garbage Can Drive You Crazy

by Ben Goldstein, Alan Kupperberg (Illustrator)

The World Patrol Kids , feature a multi-ethnic environmental kids singing group that take on polluters, and traffickers in endangered species. Thoreau, their youngest member is having nightmares about a garbage monster the size of Godzilla pursuing him through the streets of his hometown. He wakes to find it is only a dream. But is it? The World Patrol Kids uncover a sinister plot behind the town's garbage problem. In addition to the fast-paced mystery adventure story, there are eight pages of puzzles, games, and other activities.

27 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2023

About the author

Ben’s books include "The Adventures of the World Patrol Kids," and "Rosa and Mee." Recommended for Middle-Grade readers and up. His picture books "Looice," "Been Dere?" and "Looice in the Stargarden," are illustrated by Ben and based on songs written by Ben Goldstein and Phillip Namanworth. His comic book series includes "Kids Can Change the World," "Garbage Can Drive You Crazy," "Save Our Animal Friends," and "The World Patrol Kids Environmental Activity Book". All of these are available on Amazon. Audio versions of these works are available on Audible. The World Patrol Kids album "Earth Tunes," with songs by Benjamin Goldstein and Phillip Namanworth is available on iTunes. His children's musical "Looice For President" is available on Amazon, and his play ".Guess Again," is published by The Dramatic Publishing Corp.
Ben has written, illustrated, produced, and directed books, films, plays, and songs, for Sesame Street, 3-2-1 Contact, Columbia Records, and many others. He has written for such licensed characters as Clifford the Dog, Snuggle the Bear, Rainbow Brite, Sweet Pickles, and more. Ben has an early childhood teacher’s license and has taught grades K-6. He also taught film courses at Western Connecticut State College. His children’s songs have sold millions of copies and his films have appeared at the Museum of Modern Art and on television stations around the world.

Reviews

[Kameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)


The World Patrol Kids are back, tackling a new problem: trash.

Garbage and pollution is a global issue. It dirties our waters, causes a real stink on the streets, and is dangerous to this planet. The comic book’s title, “Garbage Can Drive You Crazy!” is spot-on. Watching our landfills grow taller and broader, witnessing the litter scattered along streets and grass, discovering animals held captive by what we toss out, and understanding how Earth is suffering from overuse does take its toll on each of us.

Debates occur every day on how to curb the waste. A popular solution is recycling, but that comes with obstacles. For one, recycling comes at a hefty price. It’s not cost-effective…for now. Second, it’s easier for residents and businesses to toss everything into one bin rather than clean out containers and bottles and sort trash from recyclables. BOSS MACKAN suggested a big incinerator, but as the skateboard’s father stated accurately, burning trash fouls the air.

Townspeople argue over how to handle the mounting problem. Voices are raised, but that tends to happen when money is involved. The World Patrol Kids visit the town landfill and tour the recycling center. A quiet trip turns dangerous as sabotage strikes, leading to a fiery situation. Danger doesn’t just lurk at the recycling center. The driver of a black sports car aims to run down an innocent bystander.

They saw that money is the root of all evil, and that’s the case in this comic book. BOSS MACKAN wants to make a buck and is willing to cross any line to do it.

The World Patrol Kids believe in justice, and again, their investigations lead them into some sticky situations. Will the kids survive the flames and gunshots, or have they met their match? You know the answer, but read the story anyway to find out how it all plays out!

Be sure to check out the recycling games, puzzles, and hands-on projects!

This comic is educational, entertaining, and perfect for elementary students and beyond.

(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)

[⚫㊐✨Heather Mc Erlean❦㈦㊏ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Goldstein did another great comic book for children with, "Garbage Can Drive You Crazy." It reminded me of a time when something mundane turned into an actual nightmare for me too. It's a great book to help teach children about being responsible for what we throw out. I try to teach children today to use things that don't get thrown away when possible. I love the fact that the trash becomes the monster to slay lol My grandson is going to love this one too! Thank you again for these. They are very important and a much-needed genre to help ensure children see things from all perspectives and can judge for themselves what they should do in the future.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! The story and characters are similar to "Captain Planet" the TV show (if you're old enough to remember it), the artwork is similar to many DC Universe comics and graphic novels, and the colors remind me of Archie comics. And just in case you've never seen Captain Planet, this story takes six kids on a mission to defeat a big scale garbage problem with realistic solutions in a very doable way. There are activities in the book, my favorite was the word search. I would have enjoyed this as early as 7 or 8 years old, but still found it enjoyable beyond that age. Super good beats super bad!

*I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. The opinions and rating are my own*

[Anja Høvik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly creative and environmentally conscious!

This is the coolest book for kids you’ll read on environmental solutions! The kids in the book are like Stranger Things meet Hardy Boys, a gang of admirable children whom others can look up to. Very inspirational and a page-turner adventure! The activities on recycling make it even more authentic and genuine! I look forward to reading the other books in the series!

[G. Gaynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking over some of the other review, I can see why young readers might lose interest. The panels are a little busy for young children. Too many words and not enough action.

But for me, I was taken back to episodes of Captain Planet with a bit more information like that of the Schoolhouse Rock cartoons.

And now I'm pining for yesteryear! But good work, sir. Very good work!

[Holly Steen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly Surprised!

I read this with my granddaughters. I think I enjoyed it as much as they did. Very informative and fun. We enjoyed every bit of it.

[Diana L. Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!

This activity book was entertaining and engaging. I love that the answers were in the back of the book for the activities. Great illustrations