The Mushroom Man has arrived at its thirtieth anniversary despite breaking every rule of picture-book storytelling. It is not a story about children: The only kids make a cameo appearance to taunt the mushroom man in the street. It is not a heroic story: The mushroom man toils away in a mushroom farm, coming to resemble a mushroom himself. The story doesn't teem with personalities: The mushroom man's existence is solitary. So why does it endure? Because it is a story of true and generous friendship.

This commemorative edition includes a new introduction from Barry Moser remembering his collaboration and friendship with Ethel Pochocki. "This remains one of my all-time favourite books for kids, and some of these illustrations are among the best I've ever done," Barry writes. There is also new back matter in which Barry peels back the curtain on his illustration technique, making this book a marvellous accompaniment for teaching children's book writing and illustrating.

Ethel Pochocki discovered her passion for books and writing during her years working at the New York City Public Library. Moving her eight children to a farm in Brooks, Maine, she pounded out her fresh,quirky, unforgettable children's stories on a manual typewriter. Ethel died in 2010.