Composting for Community

International Latino Book Award 2025: Gold Medal Winner for Best Environmental Awareness Themed Book

Winner of the 2024 Green Earth Book Honor Award

The Big Bang Notable Book List 2025: Silver Medal Science Spark Award

Bookstagang's Best of 2023 Awards in the category of Best Conversation Starters of 2023

Mateo's father is a composter. When the class falls silent during Mateo’s career day presentation, he sets out to learn more about not only his father's job, but about composting itself. His dad's seemingly ordinary job unveils a world of interconnectedness, family heritage and environmental stewardship that changes Mateo's perspective. 

Guided by his family, Mateo delves into the science of composting and witnesses the transformation of trash into nourishing compost that provides life for our planet. Inspired, Mateo returns to school ready to pass along the wisdom from his father, and his ancestors before him, to his community.

Written by the founder of LA Compost, this story is a call to action for readers of all ages. Filled with familial love and educational lessons on composting science and climate change, Composting for Community is an inspiring story about the power of community where every small effort can blossom into something extraordinary.

Michael Martinez is a former elementary school teacher, a father, and the founder of LA Compost. Growing up in Los Angeles, he was amazed at the ways in which his family could repair and restore everyday items that he assumed were destined for the trash. He loves riding his bike, eating tacos, and “staycations” with his family in Los Angeles where they live. He is fascinated with life within the soil, and honored to know so many people who are cultivating joy above it. Follow him @lacompost.

Hannah Abbo is a self-taught, award-winning illustrator from the United Kingdom. She currently lives with her partner, child and cat in Lisbon, Portugal. When she's not drawing she loves gardening, rollerblading and knitting.