The biggest secret about mushrooms...

Behind every creature in the forest lies an invisible presence. Set out to meet the “Familiar.”

Hey there!

On your next walk in the woods, watch your step. Behind a bolete, a morel, or a chanterelle, there might be a presence you haven’t even suspected yet...

Today, I’d like to introduce you to the first family in our bestiary: the Familiar. These are the Champinups you’re likely to encounter during your outings in the great outdoors. Their role? To protect and ensure the well-being of the species they represent. Without them, the mushrooms we know simply wouldn’t be the same.

✨ Spotlight on three lives (and their secrets)

I spent a lot of time “talking” with them through intuitive writing to understand their missions. Here’s a brief glimpse of what they shared with me:

• Morchella, Guardian of the Morels: She expends tremendous energy to provide her charges with all the minerals and vitamins that make them so precious. If the morel is so highly sought after, it’s because Morchella puts her whole heart into it.

• Sira, Queen of the Curly Sparassis: She repairs and protects the roots of her charges. In fact, it’s the protective substance she uses that gives the Sparassis their famous, distinctive nutty flavor.

• Léari, leader of the Olive Clitocybes: Beneath her Chanterelle-like appearance, she hides a far more toxic secret. She commands a veritable army to protect the most fragile specimens, far from prying eyes.

These are just 3 of the 19 Familiers you’ll meet in the book. And believe me, they have many more secrets to share with you about nature’s fragile balance...

📖 Goal: An even more extensive bestiary!

For now, the book is planned to be 150 pages long. But Thib and I had to face the facts: the Champinups are chatty! Their illustrations deserve space, and their world is so rich that it’s just begging to be spread out on the page.

That’s the goal we’re currently aiming for with the Ulule campaign: unlocking funding tiers to add pages and transform this bestiary into a true collector’s item, even richer and more profound.

How can I join the adventure?

1. Explore the universe: If you haven’t already, check out the project page to see the visuals.

2. Share the magic: Just sharing this with your network can make all the difference. The more explorers we have, the thicker and higher-quality the book will be!

👉 Visit the Champinups Ulule page

A little insider secret: You can find the original illustrations (Thib’s authentic watercolors) of Morchella and Léari under the “Authentic A4” option on the campaign page. Collectors, take note—they’re just waiting to find their forever home!

The Champinups can't wait to reveal the rest of their secrets to you... And you, which of these three guardians will catch your eye on your next walk?

We look forward to reading your thoughts in the comments,

Johanna