Making of Everyday Things

A book begins as a massive roll of paper. Through high-interest photographs and easy-to-follow text, this volume explores how these rolls of paper are cut, glued, and bound together. Along the way, readers are introduced to key vocabulary and science concepts.

Most ice cream lovers know the frozen treat contains milk, sugar, and cream. However, there's a science to making ice cream, and one of the most important ingredients is air. Readers learn how many ingredients are churned together to form the crowd pleaser, while also learning the function of each ingredient.

Sneakers have a long history, but modern technology has revolutionized the production of footwear. From uppers to rubber soles, the different parts of a sneaker work together. This cool volume explores how technology and durable materials join to make shoes for walking, running, and playing.

From a graphite core to a metal ferrule that holds the eraser in place, pencils are simple but ingenious tools. Every part of a pencil serves a key role in letting students write, draw, and erase. This narrative shows readers how flat slats of wood are transformed into writing implements used in schools each day.

Making crayons is a dramatic and captivating process. First, wax is heated in massive siloes until it is molten. After the wax is mixed with the pigment, the crayons are molded and cooled before their labels are added. This book guides readers as the fascinating process unfolds, explaining the function of each ingredient that gives us our fun crayons.

Baseballs are surprisingly complex. They are made of a variety of materials, including cork, yarn, rubber, and leather, providing baseballs with the aerodynamics required for America's pastime. This fun book explains how the different materials come together to give baseballs their unique characteristics, from bounce to spin.