They are colorful. They form amazing shapes. They feed on our food. And some are even deadly poisonous. Fungi! Explore the lives and life cycles of nature's clean-up champions that help keep our world free from dead leaves and other rotting material. After reading, put your knowledge to the test with a simple science project.

Return to the Museum with exquisite, detailed images of some of the most fascinating living organisms on this planet--fungi. Exploring every sort of fungi, from the kinds we see on supermarket shelves to those like penicillium that have shaped human history, this collection is the definitive introduction to what fungi are and just how vital they are to the world's ecosystem.

Provides an introduction to the many varieties of fungi that exist and describes the good uses for the oganisms as well as the problems that fungi can cause.

"Beneath the forest floor, drifting through the air, and growing inside other living things, fungi are everywhere. Fungi break down waste and help plants and animals grow, but they can also destroy buildings and turn ants into zombies! From tiny microbes tot he largest living thing, this is a world of strange shapes, magical colors, and fascinating science"--Back cover.

"Fungi are everywhere! They live in the coldest corner of Antarctica and on hot, sandy desert dunes. They're in the air you breathe, the ground you walk on, 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...

Fungi play an important part in our world. Some fungi are mushrooms that can be cooked into delicious meals, but others are poisonous. It's important to be able to tell them apart before eating them. Readers gain this valuable knowledge as they explore what fungi look like to the human eye and under the microscope.

"Many different organisms live in forest environments, including mushrooms and other kinds of fungi. These are common sights in the forest, but how much do young readers really know about fungi? This elementary science curriculum topic is explained through accessible text to provide a better understanding of these complex life forms. Readers discover how other organisms, such as plants, benefit from certain fungi, while other organisms can be harmed...

"A lyrical story of an aspen grove through the seasons, inspired by the ground-breaking work of Dr. Suzanne Simard on how trees and fungi talk to each other. In early spring, the Mother Tree wakens. She is hundreds of years old, and her children are the sprouts that she sends up from her roots. They look like many separate trees, but they are all part of the Mother Tree. Above ground, the aspens use the sun to produce sugar. Below ground, fungi wrap...

"It may sound like a gross fact, but the world is full of fungi. These organisms are important life forms. Readers of this innovative book will learn all about fungi and their role in the environment. Short, manageable sections of text relate closely to the colorful photographs, encouraging a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The high-interest topic helps reinforce key concepts in the elementary life science curricula, while accessible content...

"An exploration of the five main types of germs-bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and helminths-and the human immune system that protects us against them"--