Barnaby Unboxed!

by Terry Fan, Eric Fan, Devin Fan

Follow perfect pet Barnaby on his perilous journey home through bustling streets, mysterious alleyways, and the untamed wilds of city parks. A standalone picture book set in the world of The Barnabus Project from The Fan Brothers, joined by their brother Devin Fan.
Meet Barnaby, he's half mouse, half elephant, with a dash of flamingo . . . and fully trained! When he's brought home to be pampered and cared for by his very own little girl, life is perfect . . . until a new, even more perfect pet comes on the scene. Suddenly Barnaby is no longer the most perfect pet around, and his little girl doesn't seem interested in him anymore. Feeling unappreciated, Barnaby runs away and finds himself swept up on a wild journey through the city and an emotional search for home in a tale of love found, lost and found again.

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Fiction, Anthropomorphic

80 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2024

About the author

Terry Fan received his formal art training at Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Canada. His work is a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques, using ink or graphite mixed with digital. He spends his days (and nights) creating magical paintings, portraits, and prints. Terry is the cocreator of The Night Gardener, It Fell from the Sky, and Lizzy and the Cloud. Born in Illinois, he now lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[Books_the_Magical_Fruit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous picture book with an amazing, heartfelt message. Anyone and everyone, no matter how old or young, can relate to Barnaby and the way he feels. I love the world the Fan Brothers have created, and I would like a Perfect Pet, please. Preferably one that’s part elephant and part mouse with a dash of flamingo.

This comes out in September, and your kiddos will love it!

I received an eARC from NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Tundra Books (thank you!!), and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Barnaby! He spends half the book listening to "Nothing New" by Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers, until he realizes it was all a misunderstanding.

The Fan Brothers never do a bad job, but the original was a bit better for me.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby is so darling! I would love him and squeeze him (gently) and dress him in the cutest little outfits!

[Vika Reads Occasionally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would do literally anything for Barnaby

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended read for kiddos! I love this book for so many reasons:
- My youngest kiddo totally adored it
- She likes to watch those mind-numbing unboxing videos on YouTube, so I thought the title and story might hook her - and I was right!
- This book is a follow-up to The Barnabus Project, which we also loved - but the kiddo forgets it, so we have to get it from the library to read again, shucks :) BTW, that book was the winner of the Governor General's Literary Award and the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, among other awards.
- The authors & illustrators, the Fan Brothers, are Canadian and live somewhere in Ontario by a lake. And honestly, lakeside in Ontario is one of the places places in the world to be.
- These brothers have written a pile of books, but among them is The Night Gardener, which is one of my favourite children's books and has a cherished spot in our home library.

Maybe we need to add the Barnaby books to it next?

[Eleana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5
My students were thrilled to return to the world of Perfect Pets. "The Barnabus Project" has always been a favourite in the library so when students heard there was a second book, wow! It was nostalgic to visit back on the Failed Projects and then follow-up with Barnaby's travails. The overlap of the stories was also a welcome surprise.

The Fan Brothers always bring their top game to stories and the images always have more to see when you take the time to look closely. All in all, a great addition to our library.

[Bianca Sandale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein neues Meisterwerk der Fan-Brüder!!!

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Library copy

[Sai · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hero's Journey. also jus realised this is the second book

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reminded me of Toy Story, but not in a good way.

[szreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby is so cute. But I didn’t like him in the park. There’s a message but not a message. It would be good for a read aloud

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Barnaby Unboxed! is an adorable creative picture book for young readers by the Fan Brothers. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Tundra imprint, it's 80 pages and is available hardcover and ebook formats. Its assigned Lexile measure is 600 and it's aimed mostly at children aged 5-9 (but appealing and moving for all ages).

This is a beautifully illustrated adventure story about Barnaby, an elephant mouse hybrid "perfect pet". He has a pampered life with his little girl, with walks and treats and TV and story times. That all changes when he feels unloved and runs away, winding up with more danger than he planned on.

There are some valuable themes of found family, what home means, self-worth and finding (and appreciating) what we have. It's a profound little book, and told in age appropriate language, all accompanied by luminous impressionist inspired artwork throughout.

Beautiful book. The illustrations are deftly rendered and, as said, just luminous.

Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent choice for public, school, or classroom library acquisition, for the home library, or for gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Cuppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested this book as. a digital download from Netgalley because I was attending a virtual program in which the Fan Brothers were to appear. I read the book and really enjoyed it. The text and art are both fantastic with many levels of story to explore. Then I discovered The Barnabus Project, which is a linked story to Barnaby Unboxed. I was amazed again. There are subtle links between the stories, mainly in the illustrations but each story is definitely stand alone. I don't think it matters which order you read them in, but it is definitely worth reading both. I am now a Fan Brothers Fan and hope to read all their books. That's what libraries are for, right? One of the things I love the most about Barnaby Unboxed is that the Fan brothers have created such a rich, detailed world and many layered story within the limitations of a picture book. This is a book that kids and adults can both enjoy and that kids will be able to read over and over again, discovering new things about it as they grow older. I also enjoyed hearing Terry, Eric and Devon speak School Library Journal's Picture Book Palooza.

[Bedashruti Mitra Basu · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve read the Fan Brothers’ “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁”, you will love their next creation “𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘅𝗲𝗱”, coming out in September 2024.

Barnaby is just the perfect pet, thoroughly trained. A little girl brings her home and showers her with love and life couldn’t be better – until an even more perfect pet comes out. Barnaby is soon replaced by the newer, more perfect pet and he goes through an emotional upheaval on a quest to find his place in the world. But he soon finds out that you do not have to be ‘perfect’ to be loved!

The little ones in your care will definitely love this, but does the storyline ring a bell in your life too? Were you once, the freshly minted graduate, the most trained and the most perfect candidate in the working world, only to find yourself competing with other ‘more trained’ and ‘more perfect’ candidates in a few years’ time? No one is indispensable in the world out there; but all we need is to find our place and be loved by those who matter – and for that, we do not have to be ‘perfect’!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barnaby is a fabulous perfect pet, the last of his kind at the store. He is thrilled when a little girl takes him home, and for a while he has a lovely life playing with her. That is until the new rainbow Barnaby comes out and she starts neglecting him. During a walk with her father (because the girl is neglecting him) Barnaby is lost and has to try and find his way home. But is he even wanted at home? Should he find a new home?

It is easy to forget Barnaby is supposed to be a living creature and not a stuffed animal. I had to keep reminding myself of that. It isn't a lost stuffy tale, it is a lost pet tale. A pet that is designed. So there is a bit of a scifi element here. (And more about that is elaborated on in the related book, The Barnabus Project. That's pretty much the only reason you might want to read The Barnabus Project first, otherwise, you don't need to read it to understand anything else about this story.) As always from the Fan Brothers, a fabulously illustrated picture book. And the story is sweet too.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley.
Sweet story of stuffed animal/perfect pet. A little girl claims Barnaby at the Perfect Pet store and they bond quickly. Readers see them do everything together until one morning a new and "improved" Barnaby is introduced on their TV show. After this, the girl doesn't pay much attention to Barnaby. One morning, Barnaby runs away and gets lost. Readers see the adventures and may think this is his forever life. However, readers who pay attention to the illustrations will see that the girl is searching from him all along. When he sees her, he hardly remembers their life until she asks him to do his special trick. After this, there is a happy ending.
The artwork captures the joy and other emotions throughout the story. The text is easy to follow and will make a terrific read aloud. A terrific partner for The Velveteen Rabbit for compare and contrast.

[LibraryKath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously cute. Barnaby is a perfect pet. He's at the store, waiting for someone to come along and adopt him. He's pink, fluffy, funny and cute. He is adopted by a little girl and they have heaps of fun together, going on walks, dancing, dressing up, dining together, and watching Barnaby's TV show. But then a new version of Barnaby is released, and he's a Rainbow Barnaby. Rainbow Barnaby is all the kids can talk about, and regular Barnaby is ignored more and more until one day the kid's Dad loses him on a walk. Barnaby finds friends in the creatures that live in the park, the squirrels and birds and mice, who look after him and make sure he's warm and fed. But it turns out he is missed after all. Will he and the little girl reunite? Will they recognise each other after so much has changed?

A lovely story, adorable illustrations, with lots of emotions and some good belly laughs. A perfect bedtime story! Good for reading aloud or reading alone.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnaby is one among many toys in the Perfect Pet line. He is half mouse, half elephant, and just a tad of flamingo. Barnaby can't help but to think that amongst them all, he is the most perfect of the Perfect Pets. One day, a young girl takes him off the shelf and takes him home where they live and do all the fun things that best friends do together. However, when a new Rainbow Barnaby comes out, the girl doesn't play with Barnaby as much anymore and pleads with her parents for a Rainbow Barnaby instead.

Hurt, Barnaby realizes that he is not as perfect as he thinks. When he runs away, he struggles at first, living on the outside having to fend for himself. But soon he finds new friends and a new life. Will he be content with this or will he return to his girl?

This is a follow up to the first book The Barnabus Project. It was fun to go back and read the first one after reading this one and seeing through the illustrations how the two books have a slight overlap.

[Ami Schroder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was blown away by the original Barnaby book as were my students. This book however feels too formulaic although the illustrations continue to be knock my socks off gorgeous. My students were intrigued by the "monster" kept in the tube in the basement and the "bad guys" in the first book. This story about a toy who runs away will not capture the same audience and I felt wronged when Barnaby went back with the little girl. She wanted the rainbow version, why would she now, after all this time be looking for him? And why would he want her back? It would ring more true if he said politely (because he seems like a very polite character) thanks but no thanks and went off on a new adventure. Also, the little girl isn't a very likable character. Kids like it when characters get what they deserve (like in the Pig the Pug books). The little girl doesn't deserve to have Barnaby back.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one first and initially took notice of how soft the colors were; a rendering of texture you can almost feel, like cotton and fur. We definitely were drawn in by the illustrations of all the unique and different kinds of animals. However Barnaby’s cuteness and larger than life attitude takes the cake because only a true star can turn heads on a routine walk at the park. This picture book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend getting the first in the series. The message in this book is a great reminder to us all, young and old, that we are perfect in our own ways. And we all struggle with insecurities and are not alone, but most importantly there is someone who loves and accepts us regardless.

Thank you tundrabooks & tandemcollectiveglobal for our gifted copy.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until it's gone.
Barnaby Unboxed, is a sweet book about a perfect pet, and Barnaby he's half mouse and half elephant, with just a dash of flamingo . . . and fully trained!
My niece loves this book, the colors pop on the cover and drew her in. She is learning to read, so she quickly was absorbed in this sweet read. She quickly picked up the words and was thrilled that she could read all by herself, she just turned 7.
What a great lesson here, and it is well illustrated with a lot of bright colors.
She wants more books by the Fan Brothers!
I received this book through LibraryThing and the Publisher and was not required to give a positive review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story begins after the events in The Barnabus Project. The adorable Barnaby, "half mouse and half elephant, with just a dash of flamingo," is on a shelf in the Perfect Pets store waiting to be bought. Finally Barnaby is selected and is dearly loved by his little girl who plays with him all the time UNTIL she sees the updated Rainbow Barnaby. Although the little girl's parents say she can't have the Rainbow Barnaby, she still loses interest in her Barnaby. Sure, this is similar to other stories about lost and forgotten toys, but it's still poignant and very entertaining. I especially love, love, love all the squirrel love! Wonderful illustrations, gentle humor, and happy ending will make this a fun book to read and share.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for this heartwarming story all about Barnaby. He is the perfect pet living the perfect life being cared for by his very own little girl. That is until the new pet arrives. Then his little girl isn’t paying him any attention and is so focused on the pet. Barnaby decides to run away and ends up in an unexpected and wild journey trying to find love and home again. Soon he realizes the girl was looking for him the whole time. This story is a creative adventure showing us all about friendship, love and belonging. I love the illustrations, they are so colorful and expressive, helping us see the emotions in this adorable story. Enjoy the sweet adventure with your family.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars (It was okay).

I didn't like The Barnabus Project so I'm not sure why I felt I had to read this sequel? (not really a sequel at all). I guess because The Barnabus Project won the Black Eyed Susan award the year it was nominated (even though I so didn't get it).

This one wasn't as weird at the Barnabus Project. But it was LONG. I was consistently surprised that the story was just going and going and going. It took a long time to get to the main point.

It was okay but I didn't like it all that much.

[Charry (SandToSnowStories) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great picture book with eye-catching illustrations. It’s a book that not just for kids but adults can read-along too. book that children can take away a moral lesson or two.

We can relate and having so much fun with Barnaby’s story here at home! My little guy gets super excited about all the new toys he sees online. But you know what? At the end of the day, there’s always that one special toy he can’t seem to let go of!

It was heartwarming to see Barnaby find his way back to the little girl, and my child really connected with that moment. He learned that letting jealousy take over can be tricky, and it’s so much better to share and talk it out instead!

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the spirit of The Velveteen Rabbit and Toys Come Home, Barnaby who is half mouse and half elephant with just a dash of flamingo finds himself lost and found many a time in this longer than average picture book.
Being it's by the Fan brothers, there will be a ready audience for this one. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was giving me Toy Story vibes because Barnaby is a very special toy living his best life when his little girl decides she wants a different model. Poor Barnaby ends up running off (when chased by a cat) and having a lot of adventures, some not very nice, before the little girl finds him and asks him to come back.
Even though she let herself be distracted by the idea of something new, she did love Barnaby and they lived happily ever after (with the other toy rejects). Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Brittany Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Terry Fan, Eric Fan, Devin Fan and Net Galley for giving me an ARC to review.

When you first open the book you immediately are drawn to the uniquely drawn illustrations. They are cute and bring a sense of life to the characters. While the overall plot of the story was great, I struggled to stay engaged in this story. When I read this book to my five year old son, he loved looking at the illustrations but wasn't able to grasp the underlying lesson within the story. I think this book would be better suited for kids maybe 7 and up.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book from the Fan brothers.

I love the message in this book, reminding us that the newest shiny thing is not always needed (the grass is not always greener). I loved the part where Barnaby goes and lives with the squirrels and almost has a Rambo look while he is living in the wild. The ending was great and I am glad that the little girl made a trip to the dumpster.

The illustrations perfectly highlighted each scene and the accompanying text.

Looking forward to reading more of the Fan brothers work in the future.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Barnaby is chosen from the half off shelf by a girl. They build a beautiful life together with routines and love and more…until Rainbow Barnaby hits the world. Barnaby is lost and find love and friendship with the paparazzi in the park (aka squirrel) and begin to mend his broken heart and forget about the girl. One day he sees a girl putting up Lost Barnaby signs and slowly begins to remember.

Such an engaging story for young families. I can just see them snuggled in bed reading about Barnaby. Heart’s full.

I haven’t read the first one yet.