The Barnabus Project

The Fan Brothers have added one more brother for this book... There’s Terry, Eric and now Deven. This is Deven’s first picture book and the first collaboration by all three brothers.I want to introduce you to Barnabus. He is part mouse and part elephant. How awesome is that!!!!! He may be adorable but he isn’t considered a perfect pet soooo he has been tucked away under a glass jar; BUT never fear...he has a plan!This story is about not fitting in, not being perfect, friendship, working together, and helping others. It’s a bit whimsical and part steampunky which will spark the imagination of the little ones as well as the reader. It certainly caught my attention. There’s lots of things to talk about after reading the story and perhaps that’s the best part...talking WITH your little ones.What I love about the Fan Brothers’ books is the attention to art detail. The cover is gorgeous; but guess what? The book also contributes to the story when “naked”... without the book jacket. Yes, I noticed! There is art on every single page, even the title page and on the inside of the cover. The only blank part is the other side of the book jacket.Parental Note: Recommended for children 3-6 and for grandparents.

As we all know, no one person, animal or thing is perfect, but that's not the way it is in a factory that only turns out perfect pets. But deep in the basement where no one goes or looks there are hidden the embarrassed models of toys that didn't turn out perfect. The one thing they all have in common is they want to know what is in the rest of the world, outside thier glass domed jars where they spend their days.This seems like a simple premise to a story but it has deep undertones of why anything that isn't perfect is deemed damaged instead of just different and beautiful in it's own special way. That a world without diversity would be a boring place to live and that just because the outsides look different the insides are still the same.This is a powerful lesson that is put in a simple way that children can understand. I'm not sure it would cut down on bullying and shaming in this world, but it may be a good start.

The illustrations are beautiful but the story was lacking. An elephant-mouse was stuck in a bell jar and decided to escape with teamwork from the other imperfect “failed” pets. But their escape is short and straight-forward and the ending is that they are free. The end. I am an elementary school teacher with hundreds of children’s books and am always on the lookout for great stories with social-emotional lessons, but this did not have a very well written plot or inspiring message. I don’t understand the hype.

My 6.5y boy absolutelly loves every book Fan brothers produced (and after we got "Ocean meets Sky" and he fell madly in love with that book I bought all the others they wrote). This one he loves just as much, it is unusual topic, kind story, the pictures (well pieces of art) in the book as always just wonderful, detailed and dreamy. This is the kind of book that ignites fantasy, provokes good thoughts and will be cherished for generations. I can highly recommend and I very much thank the authors for helping us to grow a next generation of book lovers.

I teach kindergarten and I am a 12-step book-a-holic! But this caught my eye and when I got it, I couldn't wait to read it to my kids! The pictures are amazingly detailed in places, and beautifully simple in others. Barnabus is the most adorable "fail" ever imagined, and my kids couldn't wait to find out what happens in this adventure. I had to share the pictures on the projector because there was just too much for them to see! We took two days to read it, and they couldn't wait to find out what happened after the "escape." This is an amazing story, and the fact that it was a collaboration between 3 brothers made it an even better example of how we can do incredible things when we work as a team! I would highly recommend this book as a read-aloud for readers K-3, and easy enough for 2nd and 3rd graders to read on their own. You won't regret this purchase!

The Fan Brothers are a perennial favorite in our home and Barnabus is a loveable addition. The story is action packed and imaginative and my daughter absolutely adores it.

This is such a great book! So much fun to read with the kids. It was my first Fan brothers book and I will be buying more!

My class and I really enjoyed this little gem. The illustration are remarkable and engaging and the story is lovely.

I first became aware of the Fan brothers through their tee shirt illustrations ten years ago, and I've been a fan (no pun intended) of their work since then. This is the third book of theirs I've bought and is my favourite.Without spoiling the story, it's a story about celebrating our differences, sticking together and never giving up. Three things which are valuable life lessons for children and adults alike. The illustrations are sublime, imaginative and detailed.It would enrich any book shelf and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending to anyone.

I love this story and so does my 4-year-old! It is odd, a little eerie, and very cute. Barnabus the half-mouse-half-elephant is an adorable creation. It has good themes of liking yourself the way you are, no matter if you're not 'perfect' and also how cooperation can achieve results. This is definitely a keeper.

An utterly superb book! My 6yo loved it and it’s a perfect picture book to use in Guided Reading in lower KS2, good for inference and deduction etc as there is a lot left unsaid. I absolutely love Shaun Tan and this was my first book from the Fan Brothers. Now I’m seeking out more of their work. Cannot recommend it height enough!

The book's top paper layer arrived damaged. Unable to use the book as a Xmas gift due to this issue. Very disappointing as it is not worthy to go through the hassle of item return due to the value of the book.

This is beautiful, and a lovely story. Hopefully my grandson will enjoy it.