Ep 10. I Stink!

The Scholastic Storybook Treasures series presents Volume 3: Classics Collection Part 1, season 4, episode 10 titled "I Stink!" based on Kate and Jim McMullan's book of the same title. This episode follows a garbage truck in New York City during a typical night shift, narrated in first person by the truck itself. The audience is invited on a smelly and adventurous ride through city streets, learning about the different types of garbage that are collected and how they are disposed of.

The story begins with the garbage truck introducing itself and boasting about its important job. The audience sees the truck's strong and sturdy design, and how it is capable of holding up to a ton of garbage with its powerful compressor. The truck navigates through various neighborhoods, picking up stinky food scraps from restaurants, garbage bags from homes, and even a piano that has been discarded.

During its route, the garbage truck provides humorous and informative commentary about the different types of garbage it collects and the various ways it is sorted and disposed of. For example, it explains how the garbage is separated into different categories such as organic waste, recyclables, and regular trash. It even shows how the garbage is compacted inside the truck, making more room for additional collections.

The garbage truck also describes its various features that aid in its job such as its gigantic stinky exhaust, hydraulic dumping hopper, and the way it can be controlled by a driver from the cab. Throughout the story, the garbage truck emits loud honks, beeps, and clanking noises as it moves around the city.

As the night shift comes to an end, the garbage truck explains what happens to the trash after it gets collected. It visits a landfill, where the garbage is dumped and compacted, creating mounds of trash that can be seen for miles. The truck explains how the garbage will eventually decay and turn into earth as a form of recycling.

The animation style for this episode is unique, with the garbage truck illustrated as a caricature with eyes, a mouth, and expressive features. The city is also illustrated with bright colors and details, such as the various landmarks, street signs, and advertisements. This helps to show the audience the bustling and busy nature of New York City at night.

The narration is provided by Oscar-nominated actor Andy Richter, who provides a humorous and engaging voice for the garbage truck. He infuses the story with excitement and curiosity, making the audience feel like they are riding in the truck with him.

Overall, this episode of Scholastic Storybook Treasures is an entertaining and educational experience for children of all ages. It teaches children about the importance of garbage trucks and how they help keep our cities clean. The episode is an excellent way to introduce children to environmental issues and the importance of recycling.