The Stuff that Stuff is Made of
Things We Make With Plants
Published on 25. September 2025
Book
Hardback
64 pages
978-1-917044-17-2 (ISBN)
Description
Did you know that there's seaweed in ice cream, cork in spacecraft and dandelion in truck tyres? Have you wondered how paper or thread are made, or why the mandrake is so mysterious?
Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated, this book of wonder gives a young reader the knowledge of how the things we use every day are born from natural materials, and the surprising stories behind their creation.
Featuring 30 plants, discover how:
- Dandelions are used to make tyres
- Coconut and cork are used in spacecraft
- Papyrus, and now pines, make paper
- Cacao becomes chocolate
- Cotton is spun into shirts... and banknotes
- Bamboo helps people as well as pandas
...and much more!
Best-selling author Jonathan Drori brings life to the science of plants, revealing how their worlds are entwined with our own in this one-of-a-kind family book. For readers 7 to 100.
Praise for The Stuff that Stuff is Made of
"The best children's books for Christmas 2025" - The New Statesman
"Perfect for curious minds of all ages" - LoveReading4Kids
"A book to wonder at" - BookTrust
"The wonder of nature in a fun, exciting way" - Woodland Trust
"The perfect gift for any nature-curious child" - WWF
Named a 2026 Librarian Favourite by the Children's Book Council!
Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated, this book of wonder gives a young reader the knowledge of how the things we use every day are born from natural materials, and the surprising stories behind their creation.
Featuring 30 plants, discover how:
- Dandelions are used to make tyres
- Coconut and cork are used in spacecraft
- Papyrus, and now pines, make paper
- Cacao becomes chocolate
- Cotton is spun into shirts... and banknotes
- Bamboo helps people as well as pandas
...and much more!
Best-selling author Jonathan Drori brings life to the science of plants, revealing how their worlds are entwined with our own in this one-of-a-kind family book. For readers 7 to 100.
Praise for The Stuff that Stuff is Made of
"The best children's books for Christmas 2025" - The New Statesman
"Perfect for curious minds of all ages" - LoveReading4Kids
"A book to wonder at" - BookTrust
"The wonder of nature in a fun, exciting way" - Woodland Trust
"The perfect gift for any nature-curious child" - WWF
Named a 2026 Librarian Favourite by the Children's Book Council!
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 7 to 9 years
Dimensions
Height: 317 mm
Width: 265 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
725 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-917044-17-2 (9781917044172)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Jonathan Drori CBE is a Trustee of both Cambridge and Oxford Botanic Gardens and Honorary Professor at Birmingham University's Institute of Forest Research. Previously, he was a Trustee of the Eden Project and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and for BBC TV, was responsible for many science documentaries. He is known for his TED talks on botany, which have been viewed millions of times. Jon is the author of the runaway best-sellers, Around the World In 80 Trees and Around the World in 80 Plants, revealing how the worlds of trees and plants are intricately entwined with our own history, culture and folklore. The Stuff That Stuff Is Made Of is his first book for children.
Raxenne Maniquiz is an illustrator and graphic designer based in the Philippines, whose work is often bursting with native botanicals. No matter the subject matter, her skillful handling of deep, painterly strokes and brilliant contrasting colours always breeds beautiful results. Raxenne's finely textured illustrations and signature colourful backgrounds have emblazoned branding campaigns, product packaging, apparel, stationery and murals, not to mention lighting up multiple publications.
Jiatong Liu is a Chinese born illustrator who lives in London. He went to Kingston university to study illustration in 2019. After finishing his master's degree, he became a freelance illustrator and teacher in 2021. As a young talent illustrator, he has won several prestigious awards for his illustration work during these two years, including Communication Arts, Young Ones ADC and 3X3 award. Liu has developed quite a distinctive style that reflects the visuals of his wildest dreams. His ability to manifest the world from his imagination into these unique pieces makes him a true visionary.
Raxenne Maniquiz is an illustrator and graphic designer based in the Philippines, whose work is often bursting with native botanicals. No matter the subject matter, her skillful handling of deep, painterly strokes and brilliant contrasting colours always breeds beautiful results. Raxenne's finely textured illustrations and signature colourful backgrounds have emblazoned branding campaigns, product packaging, apparel, stationery and murals, not to mention lighting up multiple publications.
Jiatong Liu is a Chinese born illustrator who lives in London. He went to Kingston university to study illustration in 2019. After finishing his master's degree, he became a freelance illustrator and teacher in 2021. As a young talent illustrator, he has won several prestigious awards for his illustration work during these two years, including Communication Arts, Young Ones ADC and 3X3 award. Liu has developed quite a distinctive style that reflects the visuals of his wildest dreams. His ability to manifest the world from his imagination into these unique pieces makes him a true visionary.