Camila Monasterio & Ignasi Blanch
Mrs. Chatarra
In Mrs. Chatarra’s world, nothing is thrown away: everything can be transformed.
Lili’s favourite toy is an old, battered crocodile. One day, while playing in the park, an older boy snatches it from her, and the poor reptile ends up even more battered than before.
At that moment, Mrs. Chatarra, who has witnessed the whole scene, approaches. No one knows her name, but everyone has seen her pushing her cart loaded with junk. With a curious look, the woman examines the remains of the crocodile, shakes her head with determination, grabs a sack and says: “Carraca or carraco, into the sack of Zurraco”.
Lili, although bewildered, decides to trust her and hands over her toy with hope. Will Mrs. Chatarra be able to fix the crocodile?
Takatuka Editorial
Middle Grade Fiction
Original title: La senora Chatarra
Age 4+
112 pp | € 16
hc | 125 x 210 mm
Publication: November 2025
Author: Camila Monasterio
Illustrator: Ignasi Blanch
All rights available
- Recycling, ecology, bartering, friendship, bullying, diversity
- Charming, warm and magical story
Awards
In a society where the culture of planned obsolescence and compulsive buying persists, Camila Monasterio introduces us to the magical world of recycling. Things can have a second life and, with the help of Mrs. Chatarra, our favorite toy, now discarded, can not only gain in beauty but also in unexpected features.
Mrs. Chatarra – a lovable character who arouses suspicion among families due to her habits and appearance serves as an opportunity for us to talk about the value of mutual support and how important it is to get to know others before judging them
With his illustrations, Ignasi Blanch manages to fill this charming, magical story with colour and warmth.
“Throughout the story, the relationship between Señora Chatarra and the other characters allows us to explore themes such as creativity, respect for diversity, empathy and the need to cast aside prejudice. Without being didactic, the story encourages us to reflect on the rampant consumerism of today’s society, the constant waste and the individual and collective responsibility we have to keep our environment healthy.” – Canal Lector
“Between laughter, odds and ends, and a car full of unlikely treasures, the book reminds us that what is broken is not always lost… sometimes it just needs someone to look at it with a little more love. A story full of mischievous tenderness, second chances, and that everyday magic that happens when someone looks at your hurts with a new perspective.” – The books by Naita
By the same illustrator
