WINNER of the 2020 Governor General's Literary Award for Young People – Illustrated Text!
WINNER of the 2021 TD Canadian Children's Literature Prize! A
Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year
One of Amazon.com's Best of the Year Picks
One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids
One of
Booklist's Editors' Choice Books for Youth 2020
A CBC Books Bestseller
A Golden Duck Notable Picture Books List Pick
A 2021 Bank Street Book of the Year
PRAISE FOR
The Barnabus Project "A heartfelt, timely allegory celebrating diversity, bravery, and solidarity." –
STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews "[A]n ambitious drama of rebellion, escape, and inclusivity rewarded." –
STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly "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." –
STARRED REVIEW, Booklist "A fun tale with a big heart, for all ages and all collections."
–STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal
"In the Fan brothers' hands, the result feels like a happy amalgam of Jules Verne, Maurice Sendak, the Moomins, and
Monsters, Inc."
–STARRED REVIEW, Quill & Quire "The story's exploration of his longing to be free paired with the book's always timely message of acceptance gives
The Barnabus Project mass appeal and a timeless quality." –
BookPage "Young children will delight in the colourful illustrations while older readers will admire Barnabus for his courage and virtue.
The Barnabus Project is a book with wide appeal. It is sure to be a hit." –
CM: Review of Canadian Materials "An adventure to rival all picture-book adventures."
–Shelf Awareness "A funny and tender picture book. . . . [V]isual surprises and pleasures abound in this cathartic delight for children."
–Wall Street Journal "When he and his imperfect friends decide to make a break for freedom, you'll root for them every step of the way." –
Evanston Public Library "The storyline is like blades ever-turning and a twist on a timeless tale which remains fresh."
–International Examiner