There once was a man who spent his days in the dark. He worked in a mushroom farm, and people called him the mushroom man, for he even resembled the crop he tended. Children teased him on the street,
There once was a man who spent his days in the dark. He worked in a mushroom farm, and people called him the mushroom man, for he even resembled the crop he tended. Children teased him on the street, but the man had been blessed with a cheerful disposition. He was, for the most part, content—but he was lonely.
In Ethel Pochocki's moving little story, the mushroom man sets out to find a companion. After a bit of trial and error, he ultimately does, in a nether world warmly illuminated by Barry Moser's shadowy but sensitive illustrations.
Ethel Pochocki is the mother of eight, and foster parent to seven cats. The author of many children's books, including The Gazebo, Maine Marmalade, Rosebud and Red Flannel, Wildflower Tea, A Penny for a Hundred, and The Mistletoe Girl and Other Christmas Stories, she makes her home in Brooks, Maine.
Barry Moser is an award-winning illustrator with over 200 books to his credit, including Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which won a National Book Award. He is a member of the National Academy of Design and currently serves on the faculty of the art department of Smith College. Illustrator, designer, educator, lecturer, and essayist, Mr. Moser lives in western Massachusetts with his wife Emily, four cats, and an English Mastiff.
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"This is a sweet, quiet story with a special message. . . ."
—School Library Journal
"Barry Moser's illustrations glow with the quiet warmth and heart of 'The Mushroom Man' and they complement so well this story of friendship."
—Eric Carle
"A little gem about true friendship that was almost lost in the great grinder that is the publishing world. Thanks to Ethel Pochocki's lovely little story, Barry Moser's ever glorious pictures, and Tilbury House for rescuing it."
—Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon, The Devil's Arithmetic, and others
"Moser's shadowy, offbeat style harmonizes with Pochocki's uncommonly inspired text. A wonderfully odd tale of friendship."
—Publishers Weekly
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An older man who works on a mushroom farm has a kind heart but is teased and called names by children who make fun of him because of the way he looks. Yearning for a friend, the Mushroom Man becomes enchanted by a beautiful cat named Beatrice. However, she turns out to be a poor choice for him since she enjoys wandering and does not truly value his love. Just as the Mushroom Man begins to believe that is destined for a solitary life, he comes across another potential companion: a mole. Despite their differences, the friendship between the Mushroom Man and the mole blossoms. They develop a unique bond because they have many similar tastes, including a preference for darkness over daylight. Young readers will enjoy Barry Moser's wonderful illustrations that depict the mole and the Mushroom Man celebrating their special friendship.
The Mushroom Man will help inspire classroom conversations about:
The importance of friends in our lives
Making new friends
Activities to share with friends (finding common interests)
Teasing and bullying
Understanding character differences
Gift giving
Activity: Make Friendship Collages
Background: Students should brainstorm ideas about what makes a good friendship: for example, "A good friendship is strong and reliable."
Have students bring in photographs, books, and magazine clippings that represent friendship to them.
How to do it: Have the kids work in pairs to make friendship collages.
Next: Present collages to class members for discussion.
Activity: Write a New Version of The Mushroom Man
Background: Students should brainstorm ideas about what is special about the Mushroom Man and what is special about the mole.
How to do it: Outline the plot of The Mushroom Man.
Next: Create a story that reflects each student's favorite moments with either a friend or relative. Create a book complete with illustrations.
Finally: Share stories with class members.
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