The Mushroom of Doom! by Becky Davies

I saw today's read and wondered what kind of doom a mushroom can bring about. This isn't a nonfiction read, so I'm assuming there won't be much about how dangerous mushrooms can be when touched or consumed...well, not in real life, anyway. Instead, it's about that angry mushroom in the middle of the cover. He does look irritated and complainy, doesn't he? Or she? Anyway, the other mushrooms carry quite the mix of expressions and don't seem to be completely onboard with whatever this little fungus is up to.

But then, maybe it's humor? Although I'm not completely getting that vibe, either. The thought of creepy even ran through my head, but I'm pretty sure mushrooms aren't really scary. 

So, let's take a peek and see what this book is all about.

THE MUSHROOM OF DOOM!

by Becky Davies

Illustrated by Thomas Elliott

Union Square Kids

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING AUGUST 26th!!!

For fans of The Sour Grape, here is a laugh-out-loud picture book about resisting the temptation for revenge—and why it’s rarely the answer.

Mushroom is having a bad day . . . okay, maybe that's an understatement. Mushroom is having the worst day EVER. First, he's not picked to go on the pizza (and Pineapple is chosen instead of him—can you believe it?! PINEAPPLE!). Then, Milk spills all over him. Just when he thinks it can't get any worse, he's thrown in the compost bin. What else is a mushroom to do but build an army and take revenge?!

Becky Davies's hilariously outrageous text and Thomas Elliott's expressive and laugh-out-loud illustrations pair perfectly to teach little ones an important lesson on revenge, kindness, and managing emotions.

GOODREADS    /    Union Square Kids

MY TIDBITS

Whoever claimed mushrooms can't be supervillains is in for a treat with this tale.

Mushroom's day isn't going well. Pineapple was chosen over him for the pizza toppings. Then, Milk accidentally spills all over him. And then, he's stepped on! All of this lands him in the compost bin, a place he truly doesn't want to be and really doesn't belong since he was cheated out of every chance he had to shine. But a closer look around the bin has him noticing something—other mushrooms. Many of them. Suddenly, he has an idea about how to get revenge.

If you're looking for a very serious read, this is not it. If you're looking for a logical read with a traditional scheme, this is not it, either. This is about a mushroom, and one which is determined to make sure everyone who harmed him gets what's coming to them. Revenge is what drives this character forward and his very unique way of paying everyone back for the harm they caused him. Of course, this takes some quirky twists, since a mushroom...well, is a mushroom (albeit this one is a few steps above the rest). The revenge takes on very surprising, unexpected directions and lets imagination soar as Mushroom finds a fitting chair to command his army of villain mushrooms and an outfit to match his villainous plans. In other words, despite the serious message, there is a ton of humor packed in. Quirky and silly.

Readers, who enjoy something out of the box, will enjoy this. Mushroom's antics are over-the-top and sure to draw giggles and even, at times, a raised eyebrow or two. The font plays right along with the highs and lows, creating emphasis and expression, which transform into a fun read-aloud. The illustrations hold the action and let the silly situations roll, while the text keeps the basic plot churning. It creates an original and fun read...with a somewhat open ending, which fits very well with the rest of the story, since this isn't exactly a normal tale, either.

While the quirky situations and odd silliness flow, the message comes across with subtle but clear meaning. Mushroom's attempts at revenge are strange, and may not work out as he hoped. It shows how extreme he's being, and this does open the door for readers to realize that there might be better ways to handle everything.

The ending leaves off with a strange openness of possibilities and rounds off everything nicely. So, it's a fun read to pick up, especially if something in a different direction is desired to shake things up during reading time.

And here they are...

Becky Davies is a children’s book editor, and sometimes author, from the Southwest of England. Her favorite things are animals, books about magic, and anything sparkly. In a parallel universe she lives in Hawaii, where she works in a dog sanctuary and surfs until the sun sets beyond the horizon.

Thomas Elliott is an illustrator and designer with a keen love of nature. When he’s not creating beautiful books, he likes to spend time with his family and two dogs.