Transformed: How Everyday Things Are Made

Janet Collins is a freelance writer in Sechelt, British Columbia.

When you think about it, every product used by people has its origins in
nature. This book reveals the origins of everyday objects—including
teddy bears, plastic wrap, toothpaste, and potato chips—from the
raw-material state to finished product. And it does so in a way that
makes the ordinary seem extraordinary. Each two-page spread covers the
making of one of 69 items. Fact boxes containing trivia, history, and
new terminology add colourful commentary to each topic. Best of all are
the whimsical illustrations of miniature factory workers who demonstrate
the process of manufacturing each item. Whether they are bouncing on a
wad of bubble gum or clipping the chin hairs on a teddy bear, these
charming characters will entertain readers as much as inform them. And
there is lots of information in this book to absorb. While the concepts
are often complex, the illustrations keep the content light. In a book
of this type, it is difficult to find the line between too much
information and not enough. Bill and Jim Slavin have managed to navigate
that line admirably. Recommended.