Really interesting and quite informative, even for its 1-page per fungus format. Mixed info about where and how it grows, whether it’s poisonous and how it can be used in the kitchen. Sometimes has history facts too.

The illustrations are truly wonderful and mesmerizing. However, they’re more fantastical than factual, while photographs only appear at the end and also very small. It would've been better if the photos and illustrations were on the same page or the photo icons in a corner of the info page.

Otherwise a good book that would be cool to read in a café or during lunchtime at home or even restaurants.

~

Thank you to Andrew McMeel Publishing for an eARC.

-01.04.25

🍄‍🟫 🍄🍄‍🟫🍄Definitely an interesting book. Part beautiful illustrations, part educational and overall just freakin’ neat!

I appreciate that photos are also included to help with a bit of identification. I also liked the breakdown by category into edible, poisonous, psychedelic, regenerative and just cool facts. Cute read or gift to a 🍄 lover.

Book Review: Powerful Mushrooms: An Illustrated Anthology by Federico di Vita

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As a self-proclaimed mushroom enthusiast, I recently stumbled upon Powerful Mushrooms: An Illustrated Anthology by Federico di Vita, and it was an absolute delight! From the moment I laid eyes on the book, I was captivated by its stunning cover. The vibrant colors and artistic design drew me in, promising a visual feast that matched the intriguing content within.

This book is a journey through the fascinating world of fungi, exploring the lives of 60 different types of mushrooms. Organized by their unique qualities and healing properties, the author takes us through various categories, such as Exquisite Mushrooms, Visionary Mushrooms, Venomous Mushrooms, and even Strange Mushrooms & Incredible Things. Each section is filled with cultural stories, scientific insights, and historical anecdotes that not only enrich our understanding but also celebrate the enchanting nature of these organisms.

What truly sets Powerful Mushrooms apart are the illustrations. Florencia Diaz’s psychedelic depictions are nothing short of magical! Each page bursts with color, showcasing the growth stages of various mushrooms alongside whimsical interpretations that mirror their enchanting qualities. Whether it’s the delicate patterns on a mushroom cap or the vibrant hues that stand out against the backdrop of nature, these illustrations elevate the reading experience to a whole new level. It’s like flipping through a botanical artwork that invites you to lose yourself in the beauty of fungi.

The book also serves as a practical guide to mushroom foraging and identification. Each featured mushroom comes with detailed information on its composition, safety guidelines, and where you might encounter it in the wild. This makes it not just an art piece but also an invaluable resource for anyone looking to dive deeper into the world of mushrooms—whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned forager.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Powerful Mushrooms to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge about mushrooms. It’s informative, visually stunning, and brimming with captivating stories that will enchant readers of all backgrounds. Pick up this book, and prepare to be amazed by the powerful and mysterious world of mushrooms!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This book introduces the reader to the world of mushrooms by providing descriptions of 60 chosen mushrooms and artistic interpretations of them. Furthermore, real pictures of the mushrooms can be found at the end.

Even though I'm interested in biological Topics of every kind, I never really looked into mushrooms in detail. I already knew that they can do some fascinating things, but I didn't know to witch extent, but this book sparked an interest in me with the result that I now want to learn more about mushrooms.

The artwork was beautiful and fascinating, and the description of the mushrooms covers the essential information on them.
I would recommend this book to everyone who would like to learn something about the world of mushrooms.

Thank you, Andrews McMeel Publishing, for providing me with this book to review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

At first, I wasn't sold on the groovy, psychedelic-like illustration of the mushrooms. I mean, how can I integrate the short descriptions of each mushroom, which by the way, are very interesting and informative, if it isn't accompanied by its actual image. That was until I found the true pictures at the end of the book and I realized it's actually the colorful whimsy that gravitated me towards this book. I've read and reviewed a couple of reference books about mushrooms on here but this is the first one that's designed with a groovy retro feel; at first glance it's more of a coloring book than a reference. It's clever and fun! I also love the write up for each fungus. It's short, scientific yet personal. It certainly captures one's curiosity.

While there are plenty of fungi field guides out there this one is entirely set apart by the illustrations!
Learn tidbits about a range of mushroom types from delicious (edible), to poisonous (do not eat), medicinal, and so much more.
This book offered quick information that I spent many hours researching off of, also I'm always a sucker for good illustration and the pictures in this book did not disappoint!
I'd recommend this book to fungi fanatics and people who love a pops of color in their reads.
*An e-arc of this book was provided by Andrew McMeel publishing and NetGalley in exchange for a review, all opinions mentioned are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC of this title. Of all the mushroom books I've read, this one was definitely my favorite. This book is what I always look for in nature books/guides. The illustrations were fantastic, and those alone are why I will most likely be purchasing a hardcopy for myself when this book releases. I loved the pages with information. Not too much, not too little, and followed up with the most creative mushroom illustrations I've seen. This one was a 10/10 for me. It covered everything from poisonous mushrooms, to edible and medicinal. Not only that, but it used the scientific names as well! Ugh, this book was so good. I will definitely be recommending this book for purchase at my shop.

Powerful Mushrooms: An Illustrated Guide is an incredible resource for anyone fascinated by fungi. Beautifully organized, this book covers everything from edible mushrooms to medicinal, poisonous, visionary, mycoremediation, and even bizarre fungi—making it easy and enjoyable to learn all you ever wanted to know.

What really sets this book apart are the vibrant, whimsical illustrations by Florencia Diaz. They are colorful, fun, and add a magical charm to the already engaging content. The combination of these beautiful illustrations and detailed photographs makes mushroom identification clear and accessible.

I loved discovering the cultural histories, fascinating scientific details, and intriguing fun facts sprinkled throughout. I learned a lot about the history and geographical areas where various mushrooms are found, and I genuinely enjoyed the easy-to-follow format.

Powerful Mushrooms is the kind of book you'll return to repeatedly, whether you're just starting your fungi journey or deepening your understanding.

Special thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this fantastic resource in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed every moment reading this vibrant book of mushrooms. I was really confused on why it had to be presented like this, I mean, identifying mushrooms is hard enough, even with detailed descriptions and their original photos. But then, as I read through the book, I found myself just focusing on the info and admiring the art. I also found out towards the end of the book that it included the true photos of all mushrooms in the book.

A very colorful and easy to follow reference book about the differences and similarities among mushrooms.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for the eARC of this title!**

While I am bummed that this isn't available for Kindle download, I am looking forward to browsing through the stories on NetGalley reader when I have downtime at work. Such a cool concept!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review. First of all the illustrations are awesome. They’re colorful, interesting and really creatively done. The illustrations are the main feature of the book, and they’re followed by concise one page descriptions of the mushrooms that the pictures depict. A beautiful reference book of many mushrooms that I wouldn’t have known existed without reading this book. Well done.

Informed by research done by the author, this reference-style work is interestingly illustrated and breathtakingly beautiful. Definitely one I'd like to own in my collection and be able to flip through as needed.

I really enjoyed the facts, tidbits, and illustrations all throughout this book. It was a pleasant read, and one that makes me glad that I don't go foraging because I would probably kill myself very easily.

This was a great introduction to mushrooms. I really enjoyed the illustrations and learning about each of the species. The only thing that could have used improvement was the formatting.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the e-arc.

*rated on social media*

I did enjoy this book, I know the author and it was a surprise seeing it published in English. Wish you all good luck!

This is quite a treat for mushroom lovers of all types.

POWERFUL MUSHROOMS is a pop-informative book all about the different types of mushrooms that can be found in the wild. Each mushroom has a page of information, including composition, safety, and where it can be found.

The images are really the highlight of the book. Each mushroom has a psychedelic illustration, some showing the various grow stages of the mushroom, and others with a colorful images of what the mushroom looks like. I liked the visionary section of the book as it really defends the reputation of mushrooms. Mushrooms have been used for various ceremonies and practices for centuries, and this book respects the roll that the mushroom has played in human history.

I also had no idea that we're only informed of about 6% of all mushrooms in the world! What a treat for us that there's so much to discover.

While this book wouldn't be suitable for people who are starting their foraging journey, it would be excellent for people who appreciate art, mushrooms, and would love to have a beautiful book to showcase their loves in their home. It would also be great for inquisitive children who are interested in science and nature.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this e-arc! I’m excited to look into more work from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Powerful Mushrooms. This botanical treasure is a fascinating exploration of 60 mushrooms, rich with cultural tales, scientific revelations, and vivid visuals.

Overall, I found the book enchanting—truly something that would make for a stunning coffee table piece. The illustrations are playful and captivating, lending the book a cohesive and artistic flair. However, I was a bit torn by the non-realistic depiction of the mushrooms. While these imaginative images add charm and elevate the aesthetic, they wouldn’t serve me well if I ever needed to identify these fungi in the wild. The actual photographs provided at the end were much appreciated.

Despite this very minor concern, Powerful Mushrooms is a fun read with short, engaging entries that pique curiosity. It’s a blend of art and information that, with its visuals and insights, truly captivates both the curious and mushroom connoisseur.

While this is a nice reference to fungi, the layout is weird. The fungi is sectioned out according to the main attribute to that fungus (edible vs. nonedible) without a photo to accompany the mushroom. However, at the end of the book, there are actual photos of the mushrooms discussed. I wish the little picture was with the information. It would be so much easier to reference and learn.

Thank you to #NetGalley for #PowerfulMushrooms by #FedericoDiVita