We Spy Fungi

This handsomely illustrated selection combines the wonder of natural science with the engaging appeal of seek-and-find books. From Arizona’s Sonoran Desert to Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest to Malasia’s Gunung Gading National Park, snapshots of ecosystems from around the world are depicted in colorful, realistic double-page spreads. In each scene, a short, smoothly written passage offers clues about an unusual fungus or plant for readers to locate. The same scene appears in the following spread, but this time, the background is dulled while the featured specimen, as well as other important flora and fauna, stand out in full color. Likewise, brief sentences reveal the ecosystem’s location and information on the highlighted plant or fungus, plus the interconnectedness among the other identified life forms. For instance, in a Douglas fir forest in Oregon’s Cascade Range, the Pacific golden chanterelle takes the spotlight. Children learn how this mushroom’s tiny hairlike strands connect to Douglas fir roots, allowing the mushrooms and trees to exchange nutrients and water. A browsable offering that will tempt nature lovers and reluctant readers. – Angela Leeper, Booklist

Rebecca Donnelly was born in England and has lived in California, Florida, New Mexico, and just outside the Adirondack State Park in northern New York. She is the author of more than 30 books for young readers, including the Indies Introduce/Kids’ Indie Next pick How to Stage a Catastrophe. Her nonfiction book Total Garbage: A Messy Dive into Trash, Waste, and Our World was a School Library Journal Best Book of 2023.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.