The Mushroom Man by Ethel Pochocki

Illustrated by Barry Moser. 32 p., Tilbury House, 1993.

It isn't always easy to find a friend, but when you find the right friend, it's wonderful. The mushroom man, who works at a mushroom farm, is a bit funny-looking, and children make fun of him. He is lonely, and eventually decides to have a pet. He meets the perfect cat, and is very happy for a while. But the cat is discontented living indoors, and leaves, and the mushroom man is alone again. Then he meets a mole. He and the mole have a lot in common, both spending their days in the dark and knowing a lot about mushrooms, and both lonely. It's difficult for the mole to trust a human, but he decides to risk it, and the two begin eating dinner together regularly. When winter comes, the mole is able to accept the mushroom man's invitation to live with him. It turns out that the mole is an excellent housekeeper. At Christmas, they celebrate the gift of their friendship. Each has survived other losses and found the right friend.

Ages 4-7
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: European American