Monty and the Mushrooms
Dev Petty, illus. by Jared Chapman. Simon & Schuster, $19.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-6659-3259-2
“As everyone knows,” mushrooms—at least the ones that populate this picture book’s comically skewed, anthropomorphized forest—“are LOUD.” Lacking inside voices or any sense of boundaries, they argue and gossip, recite bad poetry, and sing “long, loud songs about how great it is to be a mushroom.” (“Even trees think mushrooms are noisy, and everyone knows how noisy trees are.”) Marmots, meanwhile, who also reside in the forest, can’t abide noise—“especially singing.” When a handful of mushrooms pops up around the entrance to Monty the marmot’s den, the animal politely lodges a complaint with the head mushroom, then vows to eat the fungi (a useless threat, since they’re poisonous). Finally, the marmot leaves in disgust, making room for new neighbors: banana slugs, which can’t hear but cheerfully declare, “We CAN eat
poisonous mushrooms.” Some readers may find this reveal unsettling; despite the cacophonous thoughtlessness, the mushrooms are kind of adorable in their incessant commentary and unbridled enthusiasm. But those who don’t mind nature-based-turnabout-as-fair-play will find the comic timing of Petty (Elmore the Christmas Moose) impeccable, and digital goofy cartooning by Chapman (Seals Are Jerks!) aptly captures the barely contained chaos of a forest on the brink. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Mar.)
Details
Reviewed on: 12/05/2024
Genre: Children's
Other - 978-1-6659-3260-8