Monty and the Mushrooms

by Dev Petty, Jared Chapman (illustrator)

A marmot’s peace and quiet gets disturbed by noisy mushroom neighbors in this delightfully zany picture book perfect for fans of Unicorns Are the Worst! and Dragons Love Tacos!

Everyone knows mushrooms are the loudest creatures in the forest. They’re why worms go underground and birds have wings—to get away from the noise!

Everyone also knows marmots love quiet, especially irritable ones like Monty. All is well until he gets boisterous, cheerful, mushroom neighbors, with their endless mushroom jokes, mushroom poetry, and mushroom songs. What’s a marmot to do?

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Animals, Childrens, Plants

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Dev writes books for kids which are also often enjoyed by immature adults.

She was a senior visual effects artist in film and is now- thanks to her husband, daughters and pets, fully recovered from her chronic workaholism.

She is also good at word jumbles. Really good.

Dev was born in Berkeley, California and now lives pretty much in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is HILARIOUS in a way that only Dev Petty can do -- her brain, y'all? Man. I aspire to that level -- and the ENDING??? OMG.

I've been dying to read this ever since Dev told me about it and I just ADORE it. Chapman's art is damn skippy, too.

I've been feeling kind of meh about publishing and writing lately -- trying to find that spark that got me writing picture books in the first place. And this book? It's what I've been needing.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mushrooms annoying the only creature in the forest everyone is afraid of gave me life! The illustrations were beautiful, the content was funny, I think it was age appropriate (4+) but I’m sure older kids would appreciate it more. Overall, 4/5 stars ⭐️ would recommend.

[Calista · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminds me of spongbob Squarepants. It's that kind of dumb humor. It doesn't work for me. My nephew watches that show constantly. Just episode after episode. It's too much.

So that's the humor of this book. Mushrooms are loud and everyone hates them and they love to party. I guess I'm offended that someone is mis-representing mushrooms like that. Silly on my part. He even called trees loud. I suppose that's part of the humor

The artwork is all digital. It has bright colors. The mushrooms are cute.

Kids and adults into this type of humor will love it. It's just not my type of humor. I think kids will eat this book up. Poor Monty, chased out of his home.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monty likes peace and quiet. The mushrooms are so excited to have a new neighbor and want to welcome Monty in the most exciting and neighborly way. From signing to telling jokes and poetry too. Read and find out how this relationship goes. A fun read with whimsical and colorful illustrations too.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in a comic book/graphic novel illustration style, complete with word bubbles and silly faces, this one will tickle the funny bone of middle grade kids for sure.

Themes: animals, humor
Ages: 3-5th grade
Pub year: 2025

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite cute, and my kids enjoyed it. It goes with the somewhat subversive subgenre of children's books where some characters come to a dire end. The end papers add to the story, so don't miss those.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book takes on a graphic novel in a picture book approach. What's it about and what's it really about should be the discussion with children. Older elementary school students will love it.

Dev Petty is a funny person - she stretched song writing skills here :).

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious! And I would have been just as annoyed by those pesky mushrooms as Monty was! I laughed out loud though as the tides turned on them! Also ove how the end page art is part of the story.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows that mushrooms are noisy all the time. If they're not talking, they're singing. And the local forest Marmot does not like noise; at all.

Quite a humorous story of differing personality styles with a trick ending. Recommended for storytime.

[Serhiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew mushrooms could be so annoying....

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations but it ended a bit abruptly.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a funny conversation starter for K-3rd graders about how to handle people who are annoying you.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really funny and creative, with some dark humor at the end. This is more for elementary-aged kids than the littles, but it will be a great, expressive read-aloud.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mushrooms are pretty annoying neighbors, until banana slugs make quick work of them.

[Coro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very cute and funny, I love mushrooms, I love banana slugs, what could be more fun?

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending :)

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annoying mushrooms, a very frustrated marmot, and some hungry banana slugs. The caricature-i-ness of this works pretty well.

[Ms. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely think this will be a kid favorite!

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, original

[Caroline Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new title from Dev Petty is always a cause for celebration, and my daughter absolutely loves mercurial Monty and the oh-so-annoying mushrooms (spoiler alert: they sing!) Jared Chapman's art is excellent, too... a resounding thumbs up for this collaboration, and this book!

[Brittany Pomales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favorite Dev Petty Book. Those quirky mushrooms, so fun! The mushroom song, hilarious. The ending, brilliant. Chefs kiss!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

so cute and funny.