K-Gr 4—There are too many reasons to thank Gianferrari this year, for elegant nonfiction that becomes
unforgettable, as in this compelling look at the life cycle of a mushroom. Sudyka, in lockstep, provides vibrant colors
in saturated spreads, in a book about safety and surprises in the wild.

An extra large trim size makes this book feel especially sumptuous, and the art deserves the extra space. (Do we have a Caldecott contender here?) Poetry and science blend beautifully, with each type of mushroom labeled in a pretty cursive font (which may be inaccessible to some readers), and additional information in illustrated frames. All readers can learn something new as they marvel over many mushrooms. Fungi grow!

Back matter includes a warning (never to eat mushrooms you find unless their identity is verified by a mycologist), a glossary, how fungi heal and help, fun fungi facts, fungi life cycle (illustration), sources, further reading, and additional resources.

See also: Berry Song by Michaela Goade, A Rock Is Lively by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long ( )