All of the household items you take for granted are explained in this colorful and handy volume.
Following her How Things Work in the Yard (2011), Ernst comes indoors. Ever wonder how your toilet works? A faucet? A straw? Ernst offers simple answers with engaging illustrations. Writing for a young audience, she mostly explains what can be done with things in our houses. “How does a banana work?” begins the volume, showing the varied uses of the humble banana: rubbing the inside of the skin on mosquito bites; using the leaves for making rugs, ropes and "fancy kimonos"; dipping it in chocolate for a tasty treat. Spoons are not just the workhorse of the utensil drawer; they can be used to make catapults, puppets, musical instruments and mirrors. Similarly, popcorn, sandwiches, scissors, glue, piggy banks and kazoos are featured. The youngest readers will be fascinated by the simple explanations, the bright and whimsical illustrations, and the pleasing design of the volume. Children will begin by browsing and soon find themselves pulled into the stories behind the objects they thought they knew.
A good glimpse at how things work in our houses and a great way to encourage children to wonder about their everyday worlds. (Nonfiction. 5-9)