Staff Pick
A book by the Fan Brothers is always such a welcome treat! Brothers Terry, Eric, and Devin collaborate on this adorable story about Barnabus, a failed half-mouse, half-elephant pet created in an underground lab for genetically modified “perfect” creatures. Barnabus isn’t quite fluffy enough and has been deemed a failed project, due to be recycled along with his other misfit friends. The gang hatches a plan to escape the lab in this gorgeously detailed adventure story for ages five and up. Recommended By Kim T., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
In a
world built for Perfect Pets, Barnabus is a Failed Project; half mouse,
half elephant, kept out of sight until his dreams of freedom lead him
and his misfit friends on a perilous adventure. A stunning picture book
from international bestsellers The Fan Brothers, joined by their brother
Devin Fan.
Deep underground beneath Perfect Pets, where children can buy
genetically engineered "perfect" creatures, there is a secret lab.
Barnabus and his friends live in this lab, but none of them is perfect.
They are all Failed Projects. Barnabus has never been outside his tiny
bell jar, yet he dreams of one day seeing the world above ground that
his pal Pip the cockroach has told him about: a world with green hills
and trees, and buildings that reach all the way to the sky, lit with
their own stars.
But Barnabus may have to reach the outside world sooner
than he thought, because the Green Rubber Suits are about to recycle
all Failed Projects... and Barnabus doesn't want to be made into a
fluffier pet with bigger eyes. He just wants to be himself. So he
decides it's time for he and the others to escape. With his little trunk
and a lot of cooperation and courage, Barnabus sets out to find freedom — and a place where he and his friends can finally be accepted for who
they are.
This suspenseful, poignant and magical story about following your
dreams and finding where you truly belong will draw readers into a
surreal, lushly detailed world in which perfection really means being
true to yourself and your friends.
Review
"The text and illustrations
mesh wonderfully to convey the drama of the escape and the critical
roles teamwork and friendship play in the animals' success." Booklist (Starred Review)
Review
"[A]n ambitious drama of rebellion, escape, and inclusivity rewarded." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Review
"A heartfelt, timely allegory celebrating diversity, bravery, and solidarity."
Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
About the Author
Terry, Eric, and Devin Fan grew up in Toronto, where they continue to live and work. Since a young
age, the three brothers have collaborated on creative projects,
including artwork, picture book manuscripts and even screenwriting.
Recipients of the prestigious Sendak Fellowship as well as Kate
Greenaway Medal nominees and Governor General's Literary Award nominees,
Terry and Eric are the author/illustrators of the critically acclaimed
books
The Night Gardener and
Ocean Meet Sky, and the illustrators of the bestselling Chris Hadfield-penned picture book
The Darkest Dark, Dashka Slater's
The Antlered Ship and Beth Ferry's
The Scarecrow. Devin Fan is an artist, poet and youth worker who has a passion for nature, adventures and kung fu.
The Barnabus Project is his first children's book and marks the first time all three brothers have written and illustrated a picture book together.