On a mushroom day

In this introduction to the joys of mushrooming, debut author Baker uses direct address to take readers into the forest, whose floor "springs a little under your footsteps." Rich multimedia spreads in sylvan greens and browns by Finkelday (When the Storks Came Home) show two sets of booted feet, transporting readers to uneven ground as a child and caregiver search, smell, and learn. Mushrooms are the fruit of a fungus, the visible part of underground webs "of finest thread called mycelium" that connect "the trees, feeding the forest and binding us all together." The adult helps the child down from a log as they explore, while illustrations picture each mushroom variety with the objects they're named for: a tiny lion on a lion's mane mushroom, an elf drinking from an elf's cup. Infused with respect for mushrooms and the woods where they grow--"Take your time, and give your attention"--the account supplies as vivid a sense of the work of hunting as it does in describing the discoveries. Back matter offers additional information and useful warnings about identifying mushrooms. Human characters are represented with brown skin. Ages 3--7. Agent (for author and illustrator): Adriann Ranta Zurhellen, Folio Literary. (July)

An adult and a child make astonishing discoveries as they explore the forest after the rain. "On a mushroom day," a gap-toothed child and a bespectacled adult with long curly black hair streaked with gray trek through the woods. Both wear shorts and boots; both soon have dirty knees. Over the course of this appealing introduction to the world of fungi, readers encounter 12 very different species of mushrooms (identified in the backmatter) and learn about the mycelium, the network of roots that connect fungi with trees and help to nourish the forest. The gentle narrative concludes with the characters sitting down to have mushrooms for dinner. Baker reminds readers in the afterword that only "knowledgeable adults" should pick mushrooms, "and never more than half of what you find." Quietly contemplative text and delightful illustrations bring this expedition to life. The visuals convey the child's sense of wonder and active imagination and even add some fantasy: A big cat reclines upon lion's mane mushrooms, while winged creatures happily cavort in the fairy ring. The earthy illustrations, rendered in acrylic, gouache, and oil pastel, were inspired by actual photos taken in the woods, and the mushrooms are accurate and identifiable. Informative and engaging, this tale is sure to have kids eagerly taking to the outdoors in search of mushrooms--and more. Downright delicious. (the facts on fungi, tips for having your own wonderful mushroom day, further information, further resources and reading) (Informational picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.