For me, first-rate pop-science is almost always written by working scientists in their field. They know their stuff, they know the key players. Ideally, they know how to write entertainingly for non-specialists. Sheldrake is young, enthusiastic, and brings a nerdy sense of fun to his book. We’re off to a great start!

So, it’s time to start teaching your kids about the fungi kingdom. It’s certainly something that doesn’t always get enough attention. Not only is it a full kingdom of life, but it’s also one that gets a relatively bad name. We tend to think of fungi in limited terms, mostly imagining them as mushrooms, and poisonous ones at that. Fungi is an expansive and interesting kingdom, however. Mycelium, Sheldrake says, is the tissue that holds together much of the world. The filaments thread through the soil, and through living and decomposing bodies, plant or animal. Each exploring tip is looking for water and nutrients, which it will begin to absorb, sending chemical signals to other parts of the network. In some species, scientists have also detected electrical waves. Other filaments nearby that receive these messages turn towards the nourishment. The network can store information. Scientists have tried removing the food source and severing all the connections. New filaments appear and set out in the right direction. It is hard not to call this “memory”. I learned so much from this book and had a lovely time reading the elegant prose and lush descriptions, following along as the author asked more questions than he answered on a quest for knowledge and enlightenment.

The Best Children’s Books About Fungi: Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Some fungi cannot be identified without a microscope, however those in this blog can be identified using macro characteristics displayed by the fruiting body. Most are umbrella or mushroom shaped with gills on the cap underside. Below are some key characteristics to look out for when identifying: And to be brutally honest, I think he wasn't being quite open with the reader in this book. There was very little discussion, for example, of how his father, Rupert Sheldrake, may have played a role in gaining Merlin access to his education and subsequent ... oh, I don't know ... freedom to wander around talking to people about how mushrooms can change the world? For example, Merlin mentions at one point how he's known Paul Stamets since he was a teenager. Well, why is that, exactly? Because Stamets, I strongly suspect, is likely friends with his parents, or a friend of his parents' friends. Takeaways: I want to know more! This book enchanted me, took me on an entangled journey, demonstrated earth-shifting realizations, and showed me just how much I still have no inkling of. It left me in a mood that rhymes with our mycelial friends: I’ve just eaten a mouthful, a stomachful, but I want more, more, more. Hi! I'm Max and I'm a writer from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I've been freelancing for more than five years and love the freedom and variety that this profession offers. Animals are also a big part of my life, and a lot of my time is dedicated to playing with my cat, Herbie. The Best Children’s Books About Fungi: Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Merlin Sheldrake (isn't his name the coolest!?) talks about these things and so much more. Bunches and bundles and gobs and heaps of fungi facts! Mr. Sheldrake discusses climate change as well as the effect intensive farming practices have on fungal species. "A combination of plowing and application of chemical fertilizers or fungicides—reduce the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi." This poses a worry to future food production because a plant seed that cannot find suitable fungi is unlikely to survive.One partner plays a paternal role, providing genetic material only. The other plays a maternal role, providing genetic material and growing the flesh that matures into truffles and spores. Truffles differ from humans in that either + or - mating types can be maternal or paternal

Borrelli-Persson, Laird (25 January 2021). "Iris van Herpen: Spring 2021 Couture". Vogue . Retrieved 4 February 2021.Lichens have evolved independently between nine and twelve times since. Today, one in five of all known fungal species form lichens, or "lichenize." Some fungi (such as Penicillium molds) used to lichenize but don't anymore; they have de-lichenized. Some fungi have switched to different types of photosynthetic partner Also, he discusses fungi as if they are all miraculous and beneficial, but hardly even mentions the less than beneficial side. What about all the fungal diseases of plants, animals, and humans. As someone who has dealt with both toe fungus and yeast infections, I would like to have seen some coverage of the less wonderful aspects of fungi. Fungi continue to have a symbiotic relationship with plants. Of course, there are some species which are detrimental to certain plants, and yet they could not live without the help of fungi. Fungi connect plants and trees through the "world wide wood", providing them nutrients and making their fruits more or less juicier and sweeter. This book was fascinating; informative and extremely well-written. The author is a biologist specializing in the study of underground fungal networks in tropical forests, so he knows his way around a microscope, but he's also a full participant. He volunteered as a patient in a controlled LSD experiment, submerged himself - naked - in decomposing wood chips for hours, and fermented brew from apples fallen from an offspring of Isaac Newton's famous, if apocryphal, tree.

Quite often fungi has a bad rep — especially when it comes to poisonous mushrooms. However, there is so much more to learn, and a good book can open this exciting world up to your child. S02E12 Jill Purce on Overtone Chanting and Ancestral Healing". Medicine Path Podcast. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020 . Retrieved 31 August 2020. Best field guide for Europe: Larousse Field Guide to the Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe by David PeglerAs a more scientific read, this is a great option for children who have already expressed a interest in mushrooms. Kids with a love for fungi can use the book as a constant companion, even referencing it to identify some of the fungi around your home.