The Books
Theodore and the Talking Mushroom
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers (2009-03-10)
List Price: $16.99
Actual Price: $12.40
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Amazon Description
Theodore, a little mouse, lives with a lizard that can grow a new tail, a frog that can swim underwater, and a turtle that can close up like a box. But Theodore has no special talents of his own. When he discovers a mushroom that says “Quirp,” Theodore tells his friends that this is the only talking mushroom in the world, and that “quirp” means that he should be venerated above all animals. The word spreads, and Theodore is bestowed with a crown—until the truth comes out. When his friends learn that they’ve been deceived, Theodore discovers that he does have a special talent—running away very fast!This tall tale provides an excellent starting-point for discussions of honesty.
One Potato Review
Not a happy ending here, which would probably account for this book’s almost-disappearance for many years. Still, it’s a pretty lively story about lies and the lying liars who tell them, and Leo Lionni is one of the most original illustrators of his time. The mushroom doesn’t talk exactly – it quirps. You will not be forgetting this fever dream very soon.
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