Funky Fungi: 30 Activities for Exploring Molds, Mushrooms, Lichens, and More

by Alisha Gabriel, Sue Heavenrich

Overview

2023 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books finalist

Fungi are everywhere!

They live in the coldest corner of Antarctica and on hot, sandy desert dunes. They’re in the air you breathe and the food you eat. But fungi are more than pizza toppings.

They form partnerships with plants and help us clean up our planet through bioremediation. Some fungi eat our crops; others protect them. Some fungi cause diseases; others cure them. Some are bigger than you; others are so tiny you need a microscope to see them.

And now, people are finding ways to use fungi to make furniture, building materials, and even sneakers.

So grab your gear and let’s go find some Funky Fungi.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641605779
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	07/12/2022
Series:	Young Naturalists , #8
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	534,664
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	1020L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

Alisha Gabriel is an elementary music teacher and university professor. Her writing has been published in Highlights for Children and Pockets, and she has written five books for children. Sue Heavenrich is an independent environmental journalist with a master’s degree in biology. She written for Ranger Rick, Cobblestone, Highlights for Children, and more. She has written half a dozen books for children. A former science teacher, Sue counts pollinators as a citizen scientist and writes a bimonthly science column for a regional parenting newspaper.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Is There a Fungus Among Us?
Try This! Make a FUNgus Journal
Try This! Put Together an Explorer’s Pack
Look For: Name That Fungus
Look For: Dissect a Mushroom
2. Sorting out the Fungi
Look For: Go on a Fungal Foray
Try This! Make a Spore Print
Try This! Build a Simple Microscope
Try This! Design Your Own Fungus
3. Fungi Hold the World Together
Try This! What Happens If You Don’t Rake the Grass?
Try This! Fold a Fungus Bookmark
Look For: Lichen Looking Expedition
4. Fungi as Food
Try This! What’s for Sale?
Try This! Make Your Own Yeast
Look For: Identifying Wild Mushrooms
Try This! Plan Your Own Fungi Fest
5. When Fungi Go Bad
Taste It: Cook a Smutty Taco
Try This! Make Your Own Fungus-Fighting Mix
Try This! We’re Going on a Zombie Hunt
Try This! Mushroom Stamp Art
6. The Fungal Pharmacy
Try This! Design a Postage Stamp
Try This! Do Mushrooms Soak Up Water When Washed?
Try This! Lobby for a State Fungus
Try This! Follow a Fungus Friend
7. Putting Fungi to Work
Try This! Grow a Mold Garden
Try This! Write a Haiku
Try This! Bundle Dye with Fungi
8. The Future of Fungi
Try This! Adopt an Endangered Fungus
Try This! Send a Soil Sample
Try This! Make Paper Out of Fungi
Try This! Make Compost in a Soda Bottle
Resources
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

“For the kid (or adult) who is captivated by mushrooms, this book has it all: facts and fun! The kind of facts kids gossip about: how a fly is zombie-fied, designer shoes from mushroom materials, etc. The kinds of fun kids can dig into: Plan Your Own Fungi Fest and A Mushroom to Dye For. Fungal FUN for everyone!” —Heather Montgomery, author of What’s in Your Pocket?

“Brimming with fascinating facts and interesting STEM activities, Funky Fungi engages curious readers. The lively text and vivid illustrations make this book a valuable resource for anyone who wants to explore the wonderful world of fungi.” —Gail Jarrow, author of Blood and Germs

“Gabriel and Heavenrich give us a peek into the awesome world of fungi with this excellent and informative book. Through tons of great activities, they shed light on some of the world’s most intriguing funky fungi and how they are not just tasty to eat, but actually can be used as medicines, in building materials, and yes, even in your favorite sneakers. A must read for any curious kid who wants to learn all about the fungus living ‘amongus’.” —Jennifer Swanson, author of Outdoor School

From the Publisher