Gianferrari, Maria. Fungi Grow. Diana Sudyka, Illus. Beach Lane, 10/2023. [48]pp. Nonfiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-6659-0365-3. GRADES Kindergarten–4. OUTSTANDING.
This immersive book celebrates the amazing diversity and adaptability of fungi, from the stinkhorn mushroom that produces a smelly slime to attract flies, to the shaggy ink cap mushroom that is tough enough to crack asphalt and cement. The lyrical narrative includes scientific terms (mycelium, for example) without disrupting the flow or rhythm. Additional details are helpfully displayed in smaller print within the two-page spreads. The text is beautifully complemented by eye-popping watercolor illustrations that incorporate onomatopoeias and different font sizes and styles. Brilliantly designed and fun to read, the book would be a great choice for nonfiction storytimes and individual exploration. Endnotes include a glossary, more fascinating facts, and extensive resources.
Jenny Andrus—Independent