20–17586
This book for young readers contains another selection of Uncle Paul’s talks, following “The story-book of science,” “Our humble helpers” and “Field, forest and farm.” Among the everyday things discussed are Thread; Pins; Needles; Silk; Wool; Flax and hemp; Weaving; Woolen cloth; Moths; Calico; Dyeing and printing; Human habitations; Soap; Fire; Matches; Glass; Iron; Rust; Pottery; Coffee; Sugar; Tea; Bread; Air; Evaporation; Rain; Snow; The force of steam; Sound and light. There are occasional illustrations in the text.
“Would be useful in junior high schools.”
+ Booklist 17:121 D ’20
“Didacticism flies before Fabre’s freshness of style like dust before a broom.”
+ Lit D p86 D 4 ’20 80w
“The insect world has been recreated for lay readers by the patience and the genius of Fabre. Here his themes are homelier but his gift for accurate information, made fascinating in the telling, is the same.”
+ N Y Evening Post p25 O 23 ’20 90w
“The heart and mind of a scientist, the style of an artist, and the sympathy of a man whose child spirit never died live in the book.” Hildegarde Hawthorne