Unraveling Fibers
Grade 3-5?Keeler looks at the sources of plant, animal, and synthetic fibers; describes the processes used to extract them from their natural states; and provides examples of finished products. Brief sections written in clear but dry prose depict the harvesting of flax, cotton, and jute; the gathering of wool, llama and alpaca hair, angora, mohair, cashmere, and silk; and the production of rayon, polyester, and KevlarR. The advantages of each material are related. The final section focuses on research designed to induce the growth of polymers in plants. Full-color photographs accompany the text; diagrams of enlarged fibers supplement the photos. Unfamiliar vocabulary is defined contextually. While much of the material can be found elsewhere, this is an attractive, profusely illustrated overview that will be useful to report writers and those who wonder about the origins of things.?Nancy E. Curran, Decatur Public Schools, ILCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.