Mitgutsch, Ali

Describes how bees turn flower nectar into the honey which the beekeeper extracts from the hive.

Follows the rubber juice (latex) from its tree to the factory and eventual use as a tire on various vehicles.

Describes the process of glassmaking from the melting of sand in a furnace with soda, lime, and recycled glass to the molten glass that is blown into bottles and jars and rolled into window panes.

Describes the process by which graphite becomes a pencil from the making of the graphite to the way it is encased in cedar and topped with an eraser.

Describes the methods used to extract salt from the sea and from deep underground mines.

Describes how coal is formed by the earth and the methods used to mine it. Also discusses some of the uses of this mineral.

Describes how people gradually switched from the barter system to trading with pieces of gold which were eventually marked with their weight and became coins. Also discusses other metals that are used to make coins.

Briefly explains how grass is used by cows to produce milk which is made into butter.

A brief account of how a picture book is produced, from the work of artist to editor to bookseller.