I see them, but I can't do anything with them (children nor adults). Please tell me how to make use of this resource.

There is a bug in the early version of the game that sometimes prevents your kids from picking the mushrooms. That has been corrected, and an updated release will be available soon (probably next week).

I've found that it occurs most often when you change between players in the various game slots. Until the update is available, exiting the game and launching it again can help alleviate the situation, but it will usually come back when you again switch players.

Thank you for that! I have not been switching players, so that is not part of the issue in this case. Also, I purchased an advanced version from BigFish.Com - will your patch be released here from you or through them?

The updated version will be available from all download sites. Because each site manages their own registration codes, you need to download the update from the site where you originally purchased it (in your case, Big Fish Games).

Does anyone know if the patch has been released, yet? Also, I've found I have the mushroom problem when I switch between map and regular view.

Yes, v1.01 of Virtual Villagers is available. Make sure that you download the update from the site where you purchased it, or your registration code won't work after you install the new version.