Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of On a Mushroom Day written by Chris Baker and illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey. This book is super fun and gorgeous. Baker writes about a “mushroom” day between mother and child, the pair traipsing through the forest and foraging for different types of fungi. The writing is sparse but informative, perfect for a read-aloud to students. The illustrations are stunning. Finkeldey captures the colors found on a nature walk, the browns, greens, reds, and all in different hues. The forest jumps off the page and you can hear the squish of the loamy dirt by the delicate coloring of each page. Not only are the mushrooms drawn to detail, but they also have a fantastical feeling about them, showing the ethereal nature of the fungi, making the book all the more appealing to young people. The background is full of flora and fauna and the end has back matter that highlights different types of mushrooms, tips on how to forage, and resources to learn more.

A perfect blend of nonfiction and storybook read-aloud. I can’t wait to buy this and read it to my students!

Beautiful, charming, wonderful, delightful, soothing. This book is perfect! It's all about what might happen on "a mushroom day" - a day in the woods for spotting mushrooms. I had a lot of mushroom days as a kid, and now as an adult whenever I'm with my brother (who founded a mushroom club) and my dad (who holds the annual family "who can find the first morel" competition). My brother sent us the pictures he took on his fancy film camera on our last family vacation, and I really shouldn't have been surprised that half of them were of mushrooms. But anyway... This book was simply wonderful! It starts with some of the senses you might use on a mushroom day, like what you might feel, hear, and smell. Then it goes through some of the mushrooms you might see, such as chicken of the woods, jack o' lanterns, or dryad's saddles. I'm absolutely obsessed with how the text is paired with the illustrations here - for chicken of the woods, there's a depiction of little chickens hanging out amongst the mushrooms. The text doesn't really explain to us that these are the mushroom names, it just says "you might see some chickens perched on a log" and so on. This is so simple and so clever to me. It's a wonderful execution and a delightful treat. At the end, there's an index of all the different mushrooms mentioned and some tips for how to have your own mushroom day. The illustrations are phenomenal and the text is calming. This one is going to end up in my storytime collection for sure and will be front facing on all my displays.

(Thank you for the e-ARC! I work for Indianapolis Public Library as a Children's Librarian. I didn't see a listed preference for when to post reviews, so I will post this review to Goodreads within about a month of publication and will post to my library's public catalog after the book is acquired/published.)

What a great book!
I love the art style, and the use of natural colors like brown and white are so lovely and warm in this book!
The guide at the back that gives readers info about each mushroom they meet in the pages of the book is just wonderful, and the resources in the back are incredibly helpful. I will be recommending this book to teachers and STEM students who are interested in learning more about mushrooms and the natural world.
Excellent book!

One day after a rain, a boy and a woman go to the woods where they spot many many mushrooms. They observe them closely and take a few home to eat.

This book has a lovely poetic rhythm, even though it doesn't rhyme. It points out some really cool facts about mushrooms and illustrates them in a way that's friendly for kids. Even if they're not mushroom enthusiasts, this book encourages readers to observe the world with all their senses and admire it for just being itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

On a Mushroom Day is a beautiful book from the start. The illustrations are just warm and inviting. The method of explaining mushrooms and their interconnected systems is really special. I recommend this for all curious people, especially the kids who want to get to know the nature in the world around them. This book is pure joy and beauty.

What a fabulous picture book. The art is stunning.
We feel that we're in the forest hearing and smelling it. The narrative focuses on all senses and to appreciate each moment.
I like the gloomy mood of the color palette chosen for this book. Fall and rainy and cozy.
There are amazing illustrations at the end explaining each mushroom to educate us further, including tips, facts, resources, and further reading. My favorite mushroom is the Green Elfcup. They are rare and I've never seen them in the forest but they are beautiful.
Thank you, Publisher and Netgalley for this e-arc.

This was a really cute story about a family going out to gather mushrooms in the forest. The illustrations are bright and vibrant. The writing is short and sweet but inspires a lot of whimsy. There are a couple pages at the end with pictures of the various mushrooms in the book along with brief descriptions of them. My daughters enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for gifting my family with an ARC to review! We enjoyed it.

Book Review: "On a Mushroom Day"

"On a Mushroom Day" is a delightful and informative read that will captivate both young readers and adults alike. With its captivating illustrations and charming narrative, this book manages to strike a perfect balance between entertainment and education.

The captivating illustrations in "On a Mushroom Day" breathe life into the story, enhancing the reader's experience and creating an enchanting visual journey. The intricate details and vibrant colors not only add to the book's aesthetic appeal but also serve as a valuable tool for identifying various mushroom species.

One of the most engaging aspects of the book is the interactive game that encourages readers to identify specific mushroom species throughout the pages. This hands-on approach not only fosters an immersive reading experience but also promotes active learning and critical thinking.

Furthermore, the book's emphasis on responsible foraging practices, particularly the warning about adults being the only ones to pick edible mushrooms, underscores its commitment to imparting essential knowledge and promoting safety.

Overall, "On a Mushroom Day" is a charming and informative piece that effortlessly weaves together an engaging storyline, stunning illustrations, and valuable educational content. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and curious minds, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to embark on a magical journey through the world of mushrooms.

I really like to read books about nature geared for young children. As an adult, I learned more about mushrooms than I ever knew before. The illustrations are gorgeous and really capture the look of a forest walk. The text is just right to share information about mushrooms without losing the reader’s interest. A big cheer for the extra informative pages at the end of the book.

I read this with my daughter and we both absolutely adored it. You never know what kind of magic you’ll find when you take a walk on a mushroom day! Beautiful illustrations and a beautiful story. Our family goes mushroom hunting so we loved the section in the back with the different types of mushrooms. The illustrations felt cozy and perfect. Made me nostalgic. I can already think of at least two people I would gift this to.

This was a wonderful book that showcased the many mushrooms and fungi that can be found in our forests. Fungi are a very important part of our ecosystems as they support the growth of many other organisms. This book was a great introduction for kids into the wonderful world that can be found under the forest floor. The illustrations were very in line with the story that was being told and I think will allow kids to really get a feel for the story.

I received an advance copy of this book from netgalley. All opinions are my own.

We loved learning all about mushrooms! We immediately reread it and took the time to read all about the mushrooms mentioned in the back! I want to use this book as a gateway into tasting different mushrooms with my 4 year old and he is excited!

Love me some fungi. To look at. To smell. To taste. And while Mexican Gothic ruined that for a hot minute, I'm back on my Bella Swan mushroom ravioli bullshit. The one at Sorrento Ristorante in Houston is particularly good.

I digress. While this is cute and everything, sections of the text are pale yellow on a white background. Perhaps that's just because this is an ARC. Perhaps it will be fixed in the final copy. I hope so. My elder millennial eyes had to squint to read nearly half of this. But overall, an enjoyable read.

"On a Mushroom Day" is a beautifully illustrated book written to teach children about the unique world of mushrooms. The writing flows smoothly and is easy for children to understand. The illustrations are engaging and colorful. As a preschool educator, I would be happy to read this to my class!