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Ethel Pochocki, illustrated by Barry Moser
Publication date: April 2006
Paperback, $7.95
ISBN-13 978-0-88448-278-9
ISBN-10 0-88448-278-3
Children/Grades 3-6
CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
AMADI'S SNOWMAN—NewGIVE A GOAT—New
UNDER THE NIGHT SKY—New
CARPET BOY'S GIFT, THE
EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY'S LUNCH
GIFT FOR GITA, A
GOAT LADY, THE
HEALTHY FOODS FROM HEALTHY SOILS
JUST FOR ELEPHANTS
KEEP YOUR EAR ON THE BALL
LIFE UNDER ICE
LIGHTS FOR GITA
LUCY'S FAMILY TREE
MUSHROOM MAN, THE
MUSKRAT WILL BE SWIMMING
OPENING DAY
OUR FRIENDSHIP RULES
PLAYING WAR
PROJECT PUFFIN
ROSES FOR GITA
SARAH'S BOAT
SAVING BIRDS
SAY SOMETHING
SEA SOUP: PHYTOPLANKTON
SEA SOUP: ZOOPLANKTON
SHELTERWOOD
SHY MAMA'S HALLOWEEN
SPIRT THAT MOVES US, THE (VOL.I)
SPIRT THAT MOVES US, THE (VOL.II)
SPIRT THAT MOVES US, THE (VOL.III)
STONE WALL SECRETS
TALKING WALLS
TALKING WALLS: THE STORIES CONTINUE
THANKS TO THE ANIMALS
TRAVELS WITH TARRA
VERY BEST BED, THE
WELCOMING BABIES
WHEN THE BEES FLY HOME
WHO BELONGS HERE
- "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
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.
TEACHERS TAKE NOTE:
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
On Building Friendships:
For younger children: Fred Rodgers and the folks at PBS offer perspectives about early friendships and provide tips on ways to cope with the ups and downs of friendships, including when they end. http://pbskids.org/rogers/parentsteachers/theme/1506.html
For older children: This is a comprehensive website maintained by the NYU Child Study Center. It provides excellent resources for parents and teachers on ways to support children in their normal developmental moments as well as in times of natural disaster, and national crisis. http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/friends_friendships
On Bullying:
Since teasing occurs in The Mushroom Man some readers may want to explore the two websites below; they provide strategies to handle all types of behavior or comments that seem inappropriate, hurtful, or biased.
Anti-Defamation League: ADL has been fighting Anti-Semitism, bigotry and extremism since 1913. In 1999 ADL joined forces with Barnes and Noble to produce education materials aimed at breaking the cycle of hate through reading. Many of the resources from this partnership are now available for free on their website. These include handouts such as: "101 Ways You Can Beat Prejudice" and "Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice." http://www.adl.org
What to Tell Your Child About Prejudice and Discrimination http://www.adl.org/what_to_tell/whattotell_intro.asp
Teaching Tolerance: This magazine's website contains a wealth of information for teachers, parents, teens, and kids. Extensive links make a visit to this web site among the most helpful. http://www.teachtolerance.org
Activity #1
Make Friendship Collages
Background: Students should brainstorm ideas about what makes a good friendship: i.e., "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 #2
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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