Synergy: Botany

Botany is the branch of biology that explores the science of plant life including fungi and algae. This multidisciplinary area includes structure, growth, reproduction, taxonomy and more.

Read the recently published nonfiction book for children, then learn more at the websites:

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PLANTS, FUNGI, AND LICHENS FOR YOUR READERS by Tereza Nemcova and Tomas Pernicky is part of the Encyclopedias for Young Readers series. Each two-page spread focuses on a different category of plant, fungi, or lichen. The simple illustrations and short text descriptions introduce the concept and several examples found around the world. Of particular note are the fungi and lichen often overlooked in science books for children.

USDA’s PLANTS database contains information about vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens from the U.S. and its territories.

PLANTS Database

https://plants.usda.gov/ 

The US Forest Service provides useful resources on fungi and natives plants found in the United States.

Lichens from the U.S. Forest Service

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/lichens/

The Mighty Fungi from the U.S. Forest Service

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethnobotany/Mind_and_Spirit/fungi.shtml

Native Plants from the US Forest Service

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/Native_Plant_Materials/index.shtml

ARC courtesy of Albatros Media.

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Fungi, Herbs, and Human Connections

Fungi, Herbs, and Human Connections

The fascinating world of fungi and herbs is the topic of several new works of nonfiction. From updates in mycology to the traditions of ginseng gathering, these titles explore an often overlooked area of science and agriculture.

The Secret Life of Fungi: Discoveries From a Hidden World
Aliya Whiteley, Sep 2021, Pegasus Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: Science, Life sciences, Nature, Mycology

THE SECRET LIFE OF FUNGI shares the joys of nature, mushrooms, and mycology. Whether detailing medicinal uses of mushrooms or describing microfungus that eat plastic, each short essay begins with a drawing followed by an engaging story filled with humor and relatable anecdotes.

Take-aways: Both teen readers and educators will connect with the author’s passion for her subject. Making the science fun and the facts friendly, science teachers will find many timely examples of fungi in agriculture, medicine, and other allied fields. 

The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi: Exploring the Microscopic World in Our Forests, Homes, and Bodies
Keith Seifert, Apr 2022, Greystone Books
Themes: Science, Life sciences, Nature, Mycology

THE HIDDEN KINGDOM OF FUNGI introduces the fascinating world of mycology. Divided into three sections: the hidden kingdom, the fungal planet, and the mycelial revolution, each chapter explores meaningful examples of our relationship with fungi from the famous potato famine in Ireland to new research in DNA.

Take-aways: As a career scientist, the author is effective in making the science of fungi accessible to non-experts. Educators will find his focus on human connections and building a sustainable future useful. Young adults interested in the mycology will be engaged by the science, the hands-on stories, and the timely examples.

Ginseng Diggers: A History of Root and Herb Gathering in Appalachia
Luke Manget, Feb 2022, The University Press of Kentucky
Themes: Social Science, Agriculture, Food

GINSENG DIGGERS traces the history of Appalachia’s ginseng trade and how the root along with related medicinal plants became a global commodity. Using country store archival records and other primary sources, Manget describes the gathering culture and use of public lands through history with emphasis on the American Civil War era.

Take-aways: Rather that focusing on the science of ginseng plant, the author explores the economic, environmental, and medical impact of this valuable herb. Both science and history teachers will find useful examples that connect this extraordinary plant with the local gathering culture and the global botanical drug trade over time.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

Synergy: Fungi

Fungi such as mushrooms, yeasts, and molds are living microorganisms. Part of the eukaryotic kingdom, they aren’t plants, bacteria, or animals. However, like animals they acquire food through absorption rather than photosynthesis. These important decomposers can be found worldwide but are often overlooked because they are so small. They play an important role in medicine, foods, and pest control.

Read the middle grade nonfiction book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

FUNGARIUM curated by Katie Scott and Ester Gaya is the latest in the WELCOME TO THE MUSEUM SERIES. Readers are invited into the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, London, England to learn about these essential living organisms. The book is divided into four galleries exploring biology, diversity, interactions, and human connections. Each topic is presented in a two-page spread containing text along with detailed images.

Other books in the series include Planetarium, Dinosaurium, Botanicum, Historium, and Animalium. Each oversized book allows children to explore the world’s most amazing museum exhibitions.

THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S FUNGI from the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens is a story map sharing information about the world’s fungi and their importance to life on Earth. To read the report, go to https://stateoftheworldsfungi.org/

The BRITISH LICHEN SOCIETY website contains resources for identification of lichens along with lots of activity ideas. To learn more, go to https://www.britishlichensociety.org.uk/

The FIFTH KINGDOM is an online mycology textbook containing lots of fascinating photographs and diagrams. To read the e-book, go to http://mycolog.com/fifthtoc.html

FUNGI: DEATH BECOMES THEM from CrashCourse is a short, engaging video helping students learn the basics of fungi and their vital function in the global food web. To view the video, go to https://bit.ly/2OqoPbK

ARC courtesy of Big Picture Press an imprint of Candlewick Press.