String is one of the great inventions of all time.

It may not be as big as a rocket ship or as shiny as a subsea gizmo, but it’s just as remarkable. We have string to thank for helping us survive and thrive pretty well everywhere on Earth. It has taken us across oceans and up into the sky. It has linked us—human to human—across continents and beyond.

Unravel the fascinating history of string, from the oldest surviving piece of string made by a Neanderthal to the potential for space elevators made of long ropes in the future. Discover how string was used for travel, art, music and as a tool to record everything from stories to taxes. And learn a few handy knots along the way! Just a Piece of String encourages young readers to take a second look at the everyday things we take for granted and find the remarkable in the ordinary.