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The Story of Silk

From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves

Illustrated by Richard Sobol
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Hardcover
$17.99 US
10.33"W x 9.37"H x 0.37"D   | 15 oz | 25 per carton
On sale Sep 25, 2012 | 40 Pages | 9780763641658
Age 6-9 years | Grades 1-4
Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell U
additional book photo
additional book photo
What does worm spit have to do with the world’s most luxurious fabric? Travel to Thailand for a close-up look at wrigglers, weavers, and wearers of silk.

Join author and photographer Richard Sobol as he picks up his camera once more and travels to a small village in Thailand for an in-depth exploration of the story of silk and the labor-intensive process of making it. From nurturing the silkworms to weaving the fabric and photographing the children as they proudly model the finished product, this first-person narrative, illustrated with richly detailed photographs, chronicles the amazing process of creating one of history’s most desired textiles.
Back matter includes a glossary and further information.
Crisp, bright photographs and a simple, personal narrative create a remarkably informative look at the process of silk production in a Thai village.
—Kirkus Reviews

Readers will be surprised and entranced by the origins of this ubiquitous fabric.
—Publishers Weekly

The book is attractively designed, open and uncluttered, with a fine balance of text and color photos.
—Booklist

Silk boasts an attractive format, a clearly written text, and excellent photography, and it offers a fascinating glimpse of the Thai people and their unique industry. It will also serve as a fine companion volume to The Life of Rice.
—School Library Journal

Who knew a book about worm spit could be so interesting!
—The Horn Book
Richard Sobol, an author and award-winning photographer, is the creator of the Traveling Photographer series of children's books. When not traveling, he is home in Massachusetts with his family.

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo

About

What does worm spit have to do with the world’s most luxurious fabric? Travel to Thailand for a close-up look at wrigglers, weavers, and wearers of silk.

Join author and photographer Richard Sobol as he picks up his camera once more and travels to a small village in Thailand for an in-depth exploration of the story of silk and the labor-intensive process of making it. From nurturing the silkworms to weaving the fabric and photographing the children as they proudly model the finished product, this first-person narrative, illustrated with richly detailed photographs, chronicles the amazing process of creating one of history’s most desired textiles.
Back matter includes a glossary and further information.

Praise

Crisp, bright photographs and a simple, personal narrative create a remarkably informative look at the process of silk production in a Thai village.
—Kirkus Reviews

Readers will be surprised and entranced by the origins of this ubiquitous fabric.
—Publishers Weekly

The book is attractively designed, open and uncluttered, with a fine balance of text and color photos.
—Booklist

Silk boasts an attractive format, a clearly written text, and excellent photography, and it offers a fascinating glimpse of the Thai people and their unique industry. It will also serve as a fine companion volume to The Life of Rice.
—School Library Journal

Who knew a book about worm spit could be so interesting!
—The Horn Book

Author

Richard Sobol, an author and award-winning photographer, is the creator of the Traveling Photographer series of children's books. When not traveling, he is home in Massachusetts with his family.