An Anthology of Fungi: A Collection of Mushrooms, Toadstools and Other Fungi

by Ali Ashby, Lynne Boddy

Find out how to identify, where to spot, and what to know about common woodland mushrooms and rare fungal finds with this beautiful book.

Transportable in size and crammed with profiles of different mushrooms, An Anthology of Fungi covers toadstool species including fly agaric, porcelain fungus, velvet shank, wood blewit, and crimson waxcap, as well as lichens, brackets, and more.

Featuring photographs of striking specimens and illustrations by the artist behind DK’s celebrated Anthology series, as well as plenty of intriguing information, this book will be one to treasure for young nature enthusiasts.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

128 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

mushroom

[Tara Thieleke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely cover artwork good foil gilding, and sturdy ribbon bookmark which makes the book feel like a treasure. The book is a great introduction into mushrooms and lichen. I learned so much about how fungi grow, decompose plant material, and partner with plants for mutual benefits. I’ve read the moth & butterfly book in this series and plan to read the sea shell one next based on my positive experience with both books.

[Dyslexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic addition to the DK Anthologies! As a fungi enthusiast, I had been eagerly awaiting this release, and with my little one on the way, I’m even more excited to share these books with them in the future.

This book would make a perfect gift for an inquisitive child or any fungi-loving friend. It's packed with cool facts about common fungi species from around the world. While it's great for beginners, even I—a fungi fanatic—learned something new while reading!

[Andi Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is bold and brilliant: photography and information are just enough, and the layout is so animated!

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a field guide, for sure, but I loved reading this visually stunning collection of different fungi organized by the environment in which they can be found (fields, woods, anywhere, etc.) The brief description of each type of plant sometimes included interesting and useful info such as on which continent it can be found, what the Latin name translates into or the origin of the common name, or which ones are poisonous or edible, but that is very inconsistent. I'd not rely on this for identification purposes or to learn too much but rather to enjoy as a collection of delightful images of fascinating fungi that you may never get to see in person.

Personal experience: We flipped through each page of this book while camping before I read it all, cover to cover, and I encountered "King Alfred's Cakes" and "Old Man's Beard" for the first time, recognizing it in the wild right away from having just seen it in the book. Without the book, I would've never known to cut the "cakes" in half to see the "beautiful pattern of concentric layers" inside.

[Kim W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up at Five Below, and man, that place really has some hidden gems! This little book is light and far from comprehensive, but absolutely gorgeous. Every page is filled with vivid full-color photos and delicate watercolor illustrations that make the fungi look downright magical.

It's packed with fun facts and uses such rich, descriptive language that you can practically smell the damp forest floor. As a mushroom lover, I was delighted by how many visually stunning shroomies it showcases, from the familiar to the wonderfully strange.

If you're curious about fungi and want a quick, beautiful read (or just something fun to flip through), this is a great addition to the shelf. Mine now sits happily next to Entangled Life.

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Gilt edged pages, fantastic artwork...
It is a great introduction to the world of fungi, but I was frustrated that it didn’t include consistent information about each type of fungus discussed (geographic region, and the environment in which they can be found)

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and very informative book!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great art and mushroom facts!

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just beautiful. The art work, the script, the gold edged pages. Just lovely.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75☆ This was an excellent resource with a nice format and presentation for middle grade Mycology. My kids both give it 5 stars.

[Amanda Birse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, no (mushroom) cap