Encyclopedia of Fungi
Jules Howard, illustrated by Namasri Niumim
Wide Eyed Editions

‘Fungi are everywhere but they are easy to miss. They are inside you and around you. They sustain you and all that you depend on.’ So says Merlin Sheldrake author of Entangled Life. Jules Howard’s book, covering over three hundred species, provides a just a glimpse into one of life’s kingdoms on earth. There are examples from all over the world including Europe, Africa and Asia, Australia, North America, New Zealand, South and Central America.

Indeed there are so many kinds to marvel over with their awesome variety of shapes, sizes and colours as we see in Namasri Niumin’s illustrations. For instance there’s the Devil’s Fingers found in forests and grasslands,

and various Earthstars – the Arched Earthstar almost resembling a tiny human dancing on the forest floor.

Their intricate designs are astonishing: how does the Red Cage not fall apart one wonders. Also red in colour but beware, is the poisonous Fly Agaric; with its distinctive red cap dappled with white it is often depicted in woodland fairy tale illustrations.

There are also zombie fungi that prey on caterpillars and ants, ‘Gobbler’ moulds that invade other fungi, but on the more positive side are yeasts that can be used in baking and wine-making and for medicinal purposes.

There is so much more that scientists have yet to understand about this amazing branch of the web of life on Earth. Meanwhile there’s a wealth of information for child readers and adults to discover – the mycelium for example – between the covers of this celebratory volume. It’s definitely one to add to home and school collections.