''The Barnabus Project'' is a children's book written and illustrated by The Fan Brothers Terry and Eric Fan, in collaboration with their youngest brother Devin Fan. Published in 2020 by

Random House of Canada Random House of Canada was the Canadian distributor for Random House, Inc. from 1944 until 2013. On July 1, 2013, it amalgamated with Penguin Canada to become Penguin Random House Canada. Company history Random House of Canada was established i ...

, it won the 2020

Governor General’s Literary Award The Governor General's Awards are a collection of annual List of awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, awards presented by the Governor General of Canada, recognizing distinction in numerous academic, artistic, and social fields. Th ...

for English-language children's illustration.

Plot

In ''The Barnabus Project'', Barnabus is a genetically-engineered half-mouse and half-elephant, the product of a failed laboratory experiment to create and sell the "perfect pet". Sustained in a

bell jar A bell jar is a glass jar, similar in shape to a bell (i.e. in its best-known form it is open at the bottom, while its top and sides together are a single piece), and can be manufactured from a variety of materials (ranging from glass to differe ...

and hidden deep below a Perfect Pet store with other failed pet creations, Barnabus dreams of freedom after being told of a wonderful world beyond the confines of the lab. After learning that they are all to be recycled, plans are set in motion to execute an escape.

Awards

''The Barnabus Project'' won the 2020 Governor General’s Award for English-language children's illustration, and the 2021 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award.

Reception

The book was generally well received. Tanya Boudreau writes in the '' School Library Journal'', "a fun tale with a big heart, for all ages and all collections." Meghan Cox Gurdon of '' The Wall Street Journal'' calls the book "a funny and tender picture book" and calls the artwork "beguiling". Anne Crewdson at the '' International Examiner'' expresses, “The storyline is like blades ever-turning and a twist on a timeless tale which remains fresh.”

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Barnabus Project, The 2020 children's books Canadian children's books Governor General's Award-winning children's books American picture books Random House books Works set in laboratories Children's books about elephants Children's novels about mice and rats Novels about elephants