Do toads really sit on toadstools? Do fairies dance on mushrooms and use them for umbrellas? Superstition and mystery surround plants in the mushroom family—plants that are important to the natural balance of nature in our world. If there were no mushrooms, forests would be choked with deadwood. But mushrooms, in their own way, devour fallen logs and create rich, moldy earth for new trees to grow in.

Some of the interesting beliefs and customs surrounding mushrooms are presented in this well-illustrated book. It presents a simple, easy-to-read account of what mushrooms are, how and where they grow, and how they help preserve the balance of nature. Young readers will enjoy learning how to make spore prints. More important, they will learn how to tell poisonous mushrooms from those that are tasty and nutritious.

From inside the book