Questions and answers present some of life's everyday mysteries, such as why steel rusts, why soap gets things clean, and how plants grow.

"The architectural offices 51N4E and Rural Urban Framework operate at the seams of urbanization, with projects situated in transitional settlements in Ulaanbaatar, in the new vernacular of rural China, in the transforming centres of Western European cities and in Albania's shifting public spaces. Comparing their research and design processes, The Things Around Us questions the extents and certainties of architecture against backdrops of unstable planetary urbanization, insecure economies and ecologies, and indeterminate notions of citizenship."--Page 4 de la couverture

What makes something sexy? Why are some things regarded as sacred and others profane? Why do mourners face such difficulty in parting with their beloved’s possessions? Why do we often feel distraught when we lose something, even when the object has little real value? We spend our lives in a meaningful dialogue with things around us. Sometimes the conversation is loud, as in a collector’s passion for coins or art. More often, the exchange is subtle and muted, even imperceptible. We are surrounded by things, and they affect our emotions and impact our thoughts. The arrival of a dozen flowers from a lover or a letter from a grandchild makes our day; an old photo album or an afghan knitted by a favorite aunt offers comfort when we are troubled. From exploring what makes something “beautiful” to why we place such value on antiques and artifacts from the past, Objects of Our Desire offers insights, both deep and delightful, into the ways we invest things with meaning and the powerful roles they play in our lives. Notice the inviting contours of that sofa, the glint of a knife’s edge, the sparkle of a diamond ring. Feel the softness of the pashmina around that woman’s milky shoulders. Look at the majesty of a large jet plane. Take in the somberness of a gravestone. Put on an old pair of shoes. Clutch a warm mug of freshly brewed coffee. Sit on a rocking chair. Feel the sumptuous leather seats of a new car. We are surrounded by things. We are involved with them, indebted to them. We speak to things and things speak to us. To say that we are interdependent is banal. Let us be courageous. Let us admit it: we are lovers. —From Objects of Our Desire

This book introduces important types of buildings, vehicles and helpers to kindergartners and first graders. Topics covered include houses, airplanes, boats, ambulances, police cars, police men, sailors.

Discovering the EVS workbook "Animals, plants, and things around us" is a captivating workbook tailored for Class 1 students, designed to introduce them to the enchanting world of Environmental Studies (EVS). This engaging workbook serves as a gateway for young learners to explore and understand the diverse elements of nature, fostering a love for the environment. The workbook provides a variety of engaging exercises to reinforce concepts about animals, plants, and things around us. Featuring a carefully curated collection, this workbook is divided into three sections: animals, plants, and things around us. Each section has engaging worksheets to help a student learn the concepts thoroughly as they work through the book. The key features of this workbook are: * A variety of practice problems, including fill-in-the-blanks, match-the-pairs, MCQs etc, to reinforce key skills and concepts * 1650 unique worksheets * Learn about different types of animals * Learn about different types of plants * Explore things around us - living things and non-living things * The workbook has multiple-choice questions (MCQs), fill-in-the-blanks type questions, match the pairs questions, true or false type questions, circle items, etc. * Gradually increasing complexity of the problems * Answer keys for all problems, allowing students to check their work and learn from their mistakes. The worksheets are designed in such a way that students can easily track their progress and work independently or with the guidance of their teacher or parent. Overall, this workbook is an essential resource and a gateway to a world of discovery and learning for children. Through its vibrant content and interactive approach, this workbook instills in students a sense of wonder, curiosity, and respect for the wonders of the natural world.