Tale of a Lone Mushroom
Tale of a Lone Mushroom is a children’s book developed as our final project for the Writing for New Media course. The book features an art style commonly seen in children’s storybooks, using vibrant colors and playful visuals designed to appeal to young readers.
The story follows a lone mushroom who embarks on an adventure to revive her suddenly lifeless village. Through this journey, she learns the importance of living in harmony with others and the value of building friendships, emphasizing that no one is truly meant to live in isolation.
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Roles: Art Director / Illustrator / Layout Designer
Tools: Clip Studio Paint / Adobe Photoshop
Type: Print Media / Children's Book
Tale of a Lone Mushroom - Main Spread [Illustration & Layout: Louis Manata]
PROJECT CONTENTS
Tale of a Lone Mushroom - Synopsis
The story centers on a lone mushroom named Fuwa, who prefers solitude and finds interacting with the other mushrooms repetitive, leading her to distance herself from the village. One day, the once-dreamy village suddenly becomes lifeless, prompting Fuwa to seek the Goddess who resides deep within the forest.
Unbeknownst to her at first, the Goddess has temporarily drained the life from the village to teach Fuwa an important lesson. To restore the village and its inhabitants, Fuwa must embark on an adventure to retrieve three significant items: an enchanted bottle hidden within a mystical cave; a string woven by spiders whose webs form a labyrinth; and the base of a forest lyre guarded by ogres living in a swamp.
During her journey, Fuwa discovers the long-standing rivalry between the spiders and the ogres and becomes the bridge that helps them resolve their conflict. After retrieving all three items, she plays a melody that brings the Goddess to tears. These tears fall upon the village, restoring its life, color, and harmony.
Through Fuwa’s journey, the story conveys the lesson that growth often comes from connection, and that living in harmony with others—through understanding, cooperation, and friendship—is essential to creating a thriving community.
Tale of a Lone Mushroom : Spread 1 to 9 [Illustration & Layout: Louis Manata]
Tale of a Lone Mushroom : Spread 10 to 18 [Illustration & Layout: Louis Manata]
Tale of a Lone Mushroom : Spread 19 to 29 [Illustration & Layout: Louis Manata]
LIST OF CREDITS
Art Director & Illustrator: Louis Manata
Written by: Jenelle Stangl, Juliana Kyle Bersabal
Sketched by: Brandy Villahermosa, Harlene Sanoria, Ysabelle Ricohermozo
Layout Designer: Louis Manata