Mushroom in the Rain [Paperback]

Mirra Ginsburg (Author), Jose Aruego (Illustrator)

Book Description

Caught out in the rain, an ant takes shelter under a very tiny mushroom. Soon, a wet butterfly, then a drenched mouse, a dripping sparrow, and even a rain-soaked rabbit each beg to join him under his miniature umbrella. How can the ant let the others in when there is barely room enough for one? But as the rain comes down and down, they all somehow manage to squeeze together and share the tiny shelter. And when the sun finally comes out, the ant discovers a magical secret of just what happens to mushrooms in the rain!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A rain-soaked ant takes refuge under a mushroom, which expands to shelter several of his waterlogged friends. According to PW , "The creators of The Chick and the Duckling have scored another triumph." Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689714416
• ISBN-13: 978-0689714412
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 10 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #396,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One side makes you taller, the other side makes you small, April 10, 2004

By 

E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mushroom in the Rain (Paperback)

A somewhat oblique tale about how sharing/love/goodwill towards your fellow man leads to an increase in even more sharing/love/goodwill. Adapted from the Russion of a one V. Suteyev, this soggy tale follows a small ant in the rain. When the sky begins to pour, the little ant has only just enough room to fit under a tiny mushroom. Soon, more and more creatures arrive to take refuge under the fungus. Finally, the animals band together to hide a rabbit from a hungry fox, making their toil well worth the effort. As the rain abates, the little ant ponders why it is that the mushroom was able to accommodate so many woodland creatures, and he learns a little about what mushrooms do in the rain.

The story is illustrated by the talented Jose Aruego (of "Leo the Late Bloomer" fame) and is rather amusing. Colorful too, in a sense, though nothing compared to "Leo". Aruego has a good sense of humor. As each animal or insect crawls under the mushroom, we are privy to a montage of different positions and poses as the other creatures move about to accommodate him/her. This is especially amusing when the fox inspects the mushroom's inhabitants for its bunny prey. He pokes and prods and even goes so far as to lift the entire mushroom onto one side (with the rabbit cleverly ensconced on the other). I was half expecting this story to turn out like so many other animals-trying-to-fit-in-a-small-space books. Usually this kind of story would end with the mushroom exploding into a million pieces with all the animals getting wet. Not so here. I give author Ginsburg/Suteyev a lot of credit for not taking the easy ending on this tale. It's much easier to end a story with a big ole explosion than with a quiet understated moral. All in all, successful.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a shame this book is no longer in print, April 25, 2003

By 

Krissi (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mushroom in the Rain (Hardcover)

As I look back, this book is one of my fondest memories. I remember having it read to me as child, knowing the words by heart, the beautiful pictures drawing me into the world of the story. I can still see those pictures in my mind and they bring a smile to my face even now all these many years later. If you can find it for your child either used or in a library, get it. It will be a favorite, guaranteed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Cute Book, September 26, 2011

By 

Peach - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mushroom in the Rain (Paperback)

My husband's parents take us mushrooming in the forest, and they bought this book for my daughter. We love reading it together. We recently purchased a copy to keep at their cabin.