Review Detail

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ORDINARY LIVING is an interesting and thorough history of how things like bathrooms and kitchens have evolved over time. For instance, the book takes the reader through how baths have evolved over time, what they looked like, and other fun facts about baths through history. The book does the same for a variety of other interesting topics, like washing clothes, refrigeration, board games, doors and locks, and so much more.

What I loved: This is such a fascinating look into the way that everyday things have evolved over time. There is a lot to learn about each topic, and they are presented in an approachable way for young readers. The illustrations are well-selected to highlight key facts about the topic over time and bring it to life. At the bottom of each page is a pictorial timeline for the topic, which also helps to convey the evolution over time in an easy-to-grasp way.

Final verdict: For children who love history and learning about the things around them, ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ORDINARY LIVING is a great discussion about the way things around the home have evolved, written in an approachable way. Recommend for elementary school age and young middle grade readers.