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Who said ordinariness is boring? This book shows ordinary things, along with their origins and inventors, in a new light. Come explore their secrets!
They're all around us. We use them daily, pass them by, and it never occurs to us to stop and think about where they came from. What, you ask? The most ordinary things in the world, of course! Shoes, umbrellas, toothbrushes, toothpicks, socks, dolls, and so on and so forth. How did they come to be? Who invented them, how did they develop and change over time?
If you'd like to know the answer to these questions, to peek behind the curtain that drapes the most ordinary stuff in mystery, then definitely read on and learn the story of common things.
List of contents
Shoes
Skates
Umbrellas
Glasses
Dolls
Perfume
Horse toys
Toilets
Toothbrushes
Beds
Tights
About the author
Stepanka Sekaninovaused to work as a TV reporter and in the production of children’s programs. Now she is a writer and a editor-in-chief, living in the Czech Republic.
Eva Chupikova, a Czech author and illustrator, focuses on bringing history and culture to life for children. She has been nominated several times for the prestigious Czech IBBY Golden Ribbon Award.
Summary
Who said ordinariness is boring? This book shows ordinary things, along with their origins and inventors, in a new light. Come explore their secrets!
They’re all around us. We use them daily, pass them by, and it never occurs to us to stop and think about where they came from. What, you ask? The most ordinary things in the world, of course! Shoes, umbrellas, toothbrushes, toothpicks, socks, dolls, and so on and so forth. How did they come to be? Who invented them, how did they develop and change over time?
If you’d like to know the answer to these questions, to peek behind the curtain that drapes the most ordinary stuff in mystery, then definitely read on and learn the story of common things.
Foreword
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Additional text
There are a lot of things we use every day and don’t really
think about very much. They are ordinary and simply part of everyday life. The
very random ten things covered in this book are shoes, skates, umbrellas,
glasses, dolls, perfume, horse toys, toilets, toothbrushes, beds, and tights. The
first thing adults should know about this book is that, while it is fun and
kids will like it, there are no references or sources for the material, and for
the earliest instances of items, there is speculation about how things came
about or what beliefs might be attached to them before there were any written
records. That said, each section has a nicely illustrated timeline and good
discussion about the likely evolution of the item. And each section has an
additional spread that discusses related items. For instance, after the section
on glasses, the spread discusses ski goggles, sunglasses, swimming goggles, and
contact lenses, and toothbrushes is followed by braces, toothpicks, toothpaste,
and dental replacements. The text by Štěpánka Sekaninová is conversational and
fun to read. The illustrations by Eva Chupíková are lush and beautifully
rendered. Youngsters should realize this is not a reference book, but it is
still some fun reading. ― Seattle
Book Review
I'm impressed with the scope and depth of this book. These
are not quick overviews. Every aspect of an ordinary thing is examined. ― Martha
D, Reviewer
Report
"Who said ordinariness is boring? This book shows ordinary things, along with their origins and inventors, in a new light. Come explore their secrets!" YA Books Central
"The text by Stepánka Sekaninová is conversational and fun to read. The illustrations by Eva Chupíková are lush and beautifully rendered. Youngsters should realize this is not a reference book, but it is still some fun reading." Seattle Book Review
"The perfect little book to answer the most asked question: "Why?" This encyclopedia has answers to a bunch of questions related to objects in our everyday life, such as beds, shoes, toilets, toothbrushes, toys, umbrellas, and so many more. The illustrations are fun and engaging. Amusing little facts are sprinkled all over the encyclopedia making it fun to read and understand." Diana Livesay, Reviewer
"Who said that ordinariness must be boring? This book shows ordinary things in a new light! Even shoes, perfume, or toilets have their origin, evolution and an inventor! Explore their secrets! Just the sort of thing I would have absolutely loved when I was a curious, knowledge seeking child. Beautiful pictures. Would make a wonderful holiday gift." Tammy B., Reviewer
"I'm impressed with the scope and depth of this book. These are not quick overviews. Every aspect of an ordinary thing is examined." Martha D., Reviewer
