Mushrooms Know: Wisdom From Our Friends the Fungi

 Mushrooms Know: Wisdom From Our Friends the Fungi

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       July 31, 2024

 

Author  Kallie George. Illustrated Sarah Gillingham.

Distributor:      New South Books
ISBN:                 9781778400773
Publisher:         Greystone Kids
Release Date:   June 2024  

Website:    https://newsouthbooks.com.au/books/mushrooms-know 

FaceBook:   

YouTube:  

Instagram:   

X formally Twitter:   

An amazing diversity of fungi is pictured and discussed in this colourful book, Mushrooms Know. The Picture Book format allows for many illustrations followed by descriptions and functions of these plants. The pages have a dark background to allow for the spectacular colours and shapes of the different fungi to be shown.

The delightful introduction tells us that mushrooms “Always wear their thinking caps.” This allows them to know many things. They are aware most of their being is underground. While standing firm, they can blow spores for a long way, these seeds can be carried by the wind. The many varieties and shapes of mushrooms are shown and some of them are quite amazing shapes. There are lacy fungi, flat fungi, brain like fungi and the delightful Pixie’s Parasol.

Many more facts are illustrated, such as the glow in the dark fungi, and the fungi that grows on a tree root helping the tree while gaining nourishment for itself. Loss of forest and Climate change has been problematic for these fungi, but they are resilient. The end pages of the book have a “Did you know” section with interesting behaviours shown.

The is a very informative book and the bright illustrations instantly attract attention. Some of the text is small but the colourful pages ensure the facts are shown.

Childrens, Non-fiction