- Non-Fiction
- Ages 8–12
- Nature
The Curator's Collection: An A to Z of Fungi
A jewel-like alphabetical tour of the fungal kingdom from a Kew mycologist and illustrator Katie Scott, revealing the strange beauty of mushrooms, moulds and mycelia one gorgeous spread at a time.
- Best for8–12
- FormatNon-fiction
- Length64 pp
- Read aloud~54 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Literary
Tone
- Thought provoking
- Whimsical
- Gentle
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
From the team behind the acclaimed Fungarium comes a smaller, collectible A to Z of the fungal kingdom, made in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Mycologist Ester Gaya guides curious readers alphabetically through the curious, colourful and often mysterious world of fungi, from the familiar mushroom to the fantastical mould and the vast underground web of mycelia that connects whole forests. Katie Scott's precise, luminous illustrations give each entry the feel of a museum specimen drawer, pairing scientific accuracy with real artistic elegance. It is a book to pore over rather than race through: a design-led, fact-rich celebration of one of the most overlooked and extraordinary kingdoms of life on Earth. A handsome gift for nature lovers, budding scientists and anyone drawn to the beautiful and the strange.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Pitched at curious readers of about 8 to 12 who can handle real scientific vocabulary, though younger children of 6 or 7 will happily share the illustrations with an adult. The detail and design also make it a book adults return to.
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 8–12
- Read aloud · 6–10
- Independent · 8–12
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Workable
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Gift-buying
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
5 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Nature lovers
- Budding scientists
- Beautiful gift
- Browsing
Avoid if
- Wants a story
- Reluctant with facts
Particularly good for children who are…
- Interested in science
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Every page is like opening a museum specimen drawer of impossibly beautiful, weird organisms. Curious readers who love facts and detail can pore over glow-in-imagination mushrooms, moulds and the vast underground web that links whole forests together.
- Secret world
Why parents love it
A design-led reference made with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and illustrator Katie Scott, whose luminous artwork makes it a genuine keepsake. The science is accurate and the writing precise, so it reads as well to adults as to children.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Educational for adult too
- Great writing
About the creators
About the creators.
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