The Stories of Everyday Things series describes the origin of ubiquitous children's objects through short chapters with easy-to-read, straight-forward text and both modern and historic photographs. Each volume opens with a history of how the object was originally conceived and created, while successive chapters look at how the object is now manufactured and distributed to stores. The Story of Balloons traces the evolution of these part decorations, from Aztec balloon sculptures made from cat intestines to Michael Faraday's and Charles Goodyear's contributions to rubber balloons to the metal molds used to shape today's latex balloons. The Story of Bicycles concentrates on early renditions of the bicycle and how the different parts of current bicycles are manufactured separately, distributed, and then assembled to make this sporting equipment. The Story of Books acknowledges different book formats but focuses on printed books, including early papermaking and printing, the importance of the inventions of moveable type and the printing press, and large-scale, automated printing of books today. The Story of Teddy Bears incorporates Teddy Roosevelt's influence on the stuffed animal's creation and relates similarities and differences from their original production to how they are manufactured today. Blending STEM with childhood favorites, these high-interest books close with a game or activity related to the object.