The Night Gardener (Simon & Schuster, Spring 2016)
Editor: Christian Trimmer
Art Director: Lizzy Bromley
One day, William discovers that the tree outside his window has been sculpted into a wise owl. In the following days, more topiaries appear, and each one is more beautiful than the last. Soon, William's gray little town is full of color and life. And although the mysterious night gardener disappears as suddenly as he appeared, William - and his town- are changed forever.
"A treat, with artwork worth lingering over." – Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"An uplifting testament to the effect that a caring adult can have on a lonely child. Digitally colored compositions surprise and delight." – Kirkus Starred Review
“An elegant picture book that celebrates creativity and community.” – School Library Journal Starred Review
“The Night Gardener is visual storytelling at its best” – Shelf Awareness Starred Review
Dilys Evans Founder's Award from the Society of Illustrators
Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award
2017 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award
2017 Zena Sutherland Award for Children’s Literature
2017 Wanda Gag Honor Book
NCTE Charlotte Huck Outstanding Fiction Honor Title
2019 Prix Ficelle Award, Ages 6/7
Junior Library Guild Award
2017 Blue Spruce Award
Star of the North Picture Book Award (MN)
Heather's Pick at Indigo Books
2016 Amazon Best Book of the Year, ages 6-8
2020 Bangkok Book Awards, shortlist
ALA Notable Children's Books
Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Multicultural Books List
Monarch Award Master List (IL)
Available at bookstores everywhere, or shop online
Images provided by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
The Darkest Dark is about a boy who transitions from being afraid of the dark to wanting to explore every corner of the universe. Astronaut Chris Hadfield collaborated with Toronto-based writer Kate Fillion on the book, which is illustrated by The Fan Brothers. Published by Tundra Books in Canada, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in the U.S., and Macmillan Children's Books UK, acquired world rights to the book, excluding North American English and Canadian French.
Editor and Art Director: Tara Walker
Designer: Scott Richardson
"A warm and empowering story of triumph over fears." – Booklist Review
"The Fan brothers (The Night Gardener) switch easily between fantasy elements (furry aliens with glowing eyes lurk in Chris’s bedroom) and documentary images. The idea that a famous astronaut was once afraid of the dark may win some recalcitrant bed-goers’ hearts, and readers with dreams of space travel will jump at this." – Publishers Weekly Starred Review
“Evocative art captures the Earthly night and lunar landscape…gracefully layered and developed, this pensive account speaks to one boy’s experience and to his burgeoning curiosity and courage." – San Francisco Chronicle
A Junior Library Guild Selection
An Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Honour Book
2017 IODE Jean Throop Book Award
2017 Wanda Gag Honor Book
Heather's Pick at Indigo Books
2018 Blue Spruce Nominee
UKLA Book Award shortlist
Available at bookstores everywhere, or shop online
Images provided by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
The Antlered Ship (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, Fall 2017). Written by Dashka Slaterand illustrated by The Fan Brothers. The book is about a fox, three deer, and a flock of pigeons who set out to find answers to important questions, and discover that they have created the very things they were seeking.
Editor: Andrea Welch
Art Director: Lauren Rille
"A gorgeous epic filled with equal parts adventure and philosophy." – Booklist Starred Review
"The visual world the Fan Brothers have created is textured and gorgeous." – Kirkus Starred Review
"In spreads that evoke seafaring motifs from the Odyssey to Treasure Island, the Fan brothers (The Night Gardener) lavish care on every delicate detail, from the ship’s rigging to the foam on the waves. Breathtaking seascapes alternate with cozy scenes below decks as predators and prey huddle peaceably. Slater (Escargot) creates a story to lose oneself in, an adventure packed with risk and possibility." – Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"Thanks to the enormously talented Terry and Eric Fan, who fully realize Slater’s text, The Antlered Ship takes young readers on an unforgettable adventure." – The Horn Book
“Marco’s discovery that the world is full of questions, but not always answers, is at once profound and entirely accessible to young audiences. Make this gently thrilling celebration of life’s big questions a first-purchase.” – School Library Journal
Heather's Pick at Indigo Books.
2017 Amazon Best Book of the Year, ages 6-8
The NCIBA Picture Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library 2017 “Best of the Best”book
Charlie’s Corner Honor Medal
Available at bookstores everywhere, or shop online
Images provided by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
The Fan brothers' second picture book, Ocean Meets Sky, centers on the magical spot between sky and sea.
It’s a good day for sailing.
Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out his window it’s a constant reminder of the stories his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Where whales and jellyfish soar and birds and castles float.
Simon & Schuster 2018
Editors: Justin Chanda and Christian Trimmer
Art Director: Lizzy Bromley and Chloe Foglia
"Meticulous draftsmanship by the Fan Brothers (The Night Gardener) gives the spreads genuine majesty… the artists imagine not a general, one-size-fits-all afterlife, but one that Finn and his grandfather share—and one that readers will feel privileged to share with them." – Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"Mystical, magical, and magnetic." – School Library Journal Starred Review
"This amorphous, imaginative adventure carries threads of grief and closure that will bypass most youngsters, but they will be enthralled by the magical illustrations and accepting of the notion that the fantastic worlds of dreams and stories truly exist." – Booklist Starred Review
"A stunning, dreamlike voyage into the heart of a child." – Kirkus Starred Review
“Young readers will be captivated.” – The Washington Post
“[A] lovely book about grief and imagination… filled with sumptuous illustrations.” – The Wall Street Journal
“The book’s lovely, muted illustrations depict a world of melancholy magic.” – The New York Times
Finalist for the 2017 Governor General’s Award – Young People’s Literature, Illustrated
2019 Zena Sutherland Award for Children’s Literature
Amazon Best Children’s Book 2018, Ages 3-5
Listed on the ALA’s “top ten sustainability themed children’s books.”
Goodreads Best Picture Book Finalist
A Huffington Post “Best Book”
A TCBR “Best Book” (The Children’s Book Review)
Shortlisted for the 2019 Kate Greenaway Medal
The English Association Picture Book Award, 2019. Fiction Ages 7 - 11
2021 Sakura Medal Nominee
Land of Enchantment RoadRunner Award Nominee (NM)
Prairie Bud Award Nominee (SD)
Mitten Award (MI)
Youchien Picture Book Awards winner
Available at bookstores everywhere, or shop online.
Images provided by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
Written by Beth Ferry. Illustrated byTerry and Eric Fan. HarperCollins. Publication date: September 3rd, 2019.
Editor: Nancy Inteli
Art Director: Chelsea Donaldson
“All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing. . . .
Bestselling author Beth Ferry and the widely acclaimed Fan Brothers present this tender and affectionate tale that reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others”.
A Junior Library Guild Selection and Indie Next List Pick
"An emotionally impactful exploration of love and loneliness, this is an essential addition to any picture book collection." – School Library Journal Starred Review
“A welcome addition to autumnal storytelling.” – Kirkus Reviews
“A novel twist on the theme of love between adversaries.” –Publishers Weekly
An Amazon “Best Book” 2019
A School Library Journal “Best Book” 2019
Nominated for the Georgia Children’s Book Award (Grade 4-8)
2021 Blue Hen Book Award (Young Readers)
Available at bookstores everywhere, or shop online
Images provided by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
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. 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.
Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada. Publishing September 2020.
Editor & Art Director: Tara Walker
Designer: Kelly Ann Hill
“A heartfelt, timely allegory celebrating diversity, bravery, and solidarity.” – Kirkus Starred Review
“An ambitious drama of rebellion, escape, and inclusivity rewarded.” – Publishers Weekly Starred Review
“This endearing picture book, with graphite and digital illustrations, will rouse justice-minded children to action with its reminders of the important things in life.” – School Library Journal, Starred 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
“The Barnabus Project is every bit as darkly and delightfully evocative as its predecessors - perhaps more so.” – Quill & Quire, Starred Review
“The book is so well-executed that the reader feels saddened by the glum prospects that lay ahead for Barnabus in the lab. The reader cheers for him as he attempts his escape. Barnabus is an entirely fictional character, yet one feels attached to him and concerned for his welfare…The Barnabus Project is a book with wide appeal. It is sure to be a hit.” – Dr. Gregory Bryan, CM Magazine
“Part adventure, part parable, and totally evocative work of art, the Fan Brothers’ new book is unforgettable in its originality”. – Emily Schneider, Imaginary Elevators
“A funny and tender picture book… visual surprises and pleasures abound in this cathartic delight for children.” – The Wall Street Journal
"Magical, hopeful, brilliant, and brave, this is a book needed for every library." – Saul’s Fiction Addiction
“Well, that was a good book!” – Koen, aged 8
2020 Governor General’s Award for Young People’s Literature –Illustrated Books
The 2021 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award
Nominated for the 2022 Kate Greenaway Medal
2023 Zilveren Penseel Award
The 2021 Le Prix Ficelle, category age 6-7
2021 Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Awards, Shining Willow Award
2020-2021 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
2021-2022 Vermont Red Clover Book Award
The 2022 Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award
The Surrey School’s Picture Book of the Year (for primary readers)
Heather's Pick at Indigo Books
One of Amazon’s “Best 20 Children’s Books of 2020”
A Kirkus “Best Books of 2020"
A Chicago Public Library “Best Books of 2020”
One of Mr. Brian's “Picture Books of the Year”
The Today Show “39 Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds 2020”
Bank Street College of Education “Best Children’s Books of 2021”
2020 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Finalist
2021 Bologna Book Fair Finalist
A Golden Duck Notable Picture Book
2020/2021 Sunshine State Young Readers Award Nominee
Buckeye Book Award Nominee
Longlisted for the 2022 Ukla Book Award
Shortlisted for the 2021 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
Nominated for the 2022-2023 Charter Oak Children’s Book Award
The 2022 Hampshire Illustrated Book Award
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Available at bookstores everywhere, or shop online
Images provided by Terry, Eric, and Devin Fan. All rights reserved.
It fell from the sky on a Thursday.
None of the insects know where it came from, or what it is. Some say it’s an egg. Others, a gumdrop. But whatever it is, it fell near Spider’s house, so he’s convinced it belongs to him.
Spider builds a wondrous display so that insects from far and wide can come look at the marvel. Spider has their best interests at heart. So what if he has to charge a small fee? So what if the lines are long? So what if no one can even see the wonder anymore?
But what will Spider do after everyone stops showing up?
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 28, 2021)
Editor: Justin Chanda
Art Director: Lizzy Bromley
“With intricate graphite illustrations, the Fan brothers deliver a lovely story about how the creatures in a garden react when an unknown marble-like object falls from the sky.” – School Library Journal Starred Review
“The Fan brother’s spectacularly detailed graphite work is as sumptuously detailed and painstakingly rendered as always, and they use both shadow and light and limited pops of stunning color to enhance their storytelling in a remarkable way… [t]he story is elegantly told with a clear anti-consumerist, anti-greed messaging.” – Booklist Starred Review
“[A] wonderfully illustrated fable about the consequences of greed.” – Publishers Weekly
“The Fans' marvelous illustrations sparkle with nuance, from lofting dandelion seeds to the Spider's dew-dropped web...well-nigh Wondrous.” – Kirkus Reviews
One of The New York Times/New York Public Library's Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2021
The 2022 Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature (Irma Black Award)
Indigo Books Top Ten Best Kids Books 2021
Amazon’s Best Children’s Books of 2021 Top Twenty
Shelf Awareness Best Children's Books of 2021
Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Favourite Books of the Year” List
The Smithsonian Magazine’s Top Ten Picture Books of 2021
The CBC Best Canadian Children's Books of 2021.
Shortlisted for the National Prize for Children’s Literature “Nati per Leggere” in the 3-6 years old category. Nati per Leggere
2023 Georgia Children’s Book Awards Finalist
Shortlisted for the Foyles Children’s Book of the Year 2022
Nominated for the 2023 North Carolina Children’s Book Award
Nominated for the Golden Cowbell Book Award 2022-2023
Available at bookstores everywhere, or shop online
Images provided by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
It’s a little out of fashion to buy a pet cloud, but Lizzy doesn’t mind. She’s not looking for a big one or a fancy one, just one that’s right for her. And she finds it in Milo.
Soon, she’s taking Milo out on walks with her family, watering Milo right on schedule, and seeing Milo grow and grow. But what happens when her pet cloud gets too big for Lizzy to handle?
Editor: Justin Chanda
Art Director: Lizzy Bromley
Published on May 3rd, 2022, Simon & Schuster.
“The brilliant Fan brothers show us the miraculous in the ordinary…” – Jennifer Krauss, New York Times
“A dreamy story of caretaking and letting go in the surreally gorgeous picture book Lizzy and the Cloud. This subtle, whimsical reflection on the caretaker relationship provides many openings for discussing growth and letting go.” – Shelf Awareness for Readers
“The Fan Brothers once again bring soft, detailed whimsy to young readers . . . The Fan Brothers give an original tweak to the too-big-pet story line, often seen with dinosaurs, that will charm readers of all ages. The limited use of color—buttery yellow, cornflower blue, sherbet green—lends extra magic to the finely lined pencil drawings, especially where a faint rainbow glistens in the cloud’s mist. A sweet, imaginative tale.” – Booklist
Selected for the “Read With Jenna Jr.” summer reading list, featured on the Today Show
The 2023 Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picture Book of the Year
Finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
Barnes & Noble “Best Picture Books of 2022”
CBC Books “Best Canadian Kids & YA Books 2022”
2022 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Honour Book
2025 Charlotte Award Nominee
Available at:
Images provided by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
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.
In a poignant follow-up to their award-winning, internationally bestselling picture book The Barnabus Project, The Fan Brothers and their brother Devin Fan have once again crafted a heartfelt and sweetly sensitive story full of adventure, friendship and family that will enchant readers of all ages.
Publishing in September, 2024 by Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada.
Editor & Art Director: Tara Walker
Assistant Editor: Ashley Rhamey
Designer: Kelly Ann Hill
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
"Readers of all ages will identify with Barnaby’s pain and longing, and more sophisticated readers will catch the subtle criticism of the YouTube-style “unboxing” video and our endless pursuit of the “new and improved." VERDICT: A heartfelt and emotional commentary on love and the limits of the human attention span." –School Library Journal Starred Review
“In this delightful take on the classic toys-come-to-life story, the text and art—and Barnaby—will surely charm while conveying a reassuring message of the value of being appreciated for who you are.” – Booklist Starred Review
“A poignant delight that also seamlessly incorporates striking lessons about pets, responsibility, and furever commitment. The Fan brothers’ extraordinary art--rendered in graphite and colored digitally--overflows with imagination and whimsy.” – Self Awareness Starred Review
"The Fans’ deft pictures combine intricate details and ground-level perspective, conveying empathy for children and the even smaller creatures that populate their world. Human characters are diverse. Joy, despair, reunion, community—delightfully, all here." – Kirkus Reviews
“The book offers a powerful avenue for readers to think about the way they provide care for the animals in their lives .. The Fan Brothers continue to establish for themselves a reputation as some of the most exciting talent in the world of literature for children.” –CM: Canadian Review of Materials
An ALA “Notable Children's Books for 2025.”
A Los Angeles Public Library “Best of 2024: Children’s Book List.”
Preorder: Bookshop
Preorder: Indigo - Chapters - Coles
Preorder: Barnes & Noble
Preorder: Amazon
Preorder: Amazon Canada
Images provided by Terry, Eric, and Devin Fan. All rights reserved.
A group of scientists gather in a sooty, steampunk-like world to despair about the state of the planet. Their only hope comes in the form of a smooth-talking Horologist who proposes a Great Project, a Clockwork Menagerie that will clean the air, purify the soil and replace all the life-forms that have been lost in this dying land.
Work begins on the mechanical wonders at once, and before long the clockwork animals are unveiled to much fanfare. The Menagerie is impeccable! Irrepressible! Incontestable! The Horologist has thought of everything . . . well, almost everything.
When the Great Project fails, all hope is lost . . . until something completely unexpected leads the Horologist to the studio of his young apprentice, where he is nurturing something very special of his own.
The Clockwork Menagerie is a sweeping and timely inspirational tale that celebrates the importance of the natural world and caring for our planet, one small act a time.
Pages: 60
Age Range: 4-8 years
ISBN: 9781774887424
Publishing March 30, 2027 by Tundra Books.
Editor/Art Director: Tara Walker
Assistant Editors: Ashley Rhamey, Shannon Swift.
Designer: Kelly Hill
Words by: Eric Fan
Pictures by: Dena Seiferling
Editor: Tara Walker with assistance from Margot Blankier
Designer: John Martz
Publisher: Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada
“Noses sniff the air as mouthwatering smells waft down city streets, luring growling bellies to the Night Owl. Inside this elegant, horse-drawn establishment, a feathery cook works the grill, serving up tasty dishes for shift-workers and opera-goers alike: a mince pie for Fox, a ham sandwich for Badger and puddings for little Possums. Mouse, a poor street sweeper, watches as the line of customers swells, ever hopeful that someone will drop a morsel of food — but Owl’s cooking is far too delicious for more than a crumb to be found. As the evening’s service winds down, weary Owl spots trembling Mouse. Has he found his own night lunch, or will he invite this small sweeper inside for a midnight feast for two?
From the imagination of two acclaimed picture book creators, together for the first time, this dreamlike picture book is a magical ode to Victorian lunch wagons. Evoking the sounds, sights, smells and tastes of the city at night, Night Lunch reveals how empathy and kindness as well as dignity and gratitude can be found — and savored — in the most unexpected places.”
“[A] memorable vision of a peaceable kingdom” – Publishers Weekly Starred Review
“It’s difficult to create stories that plug directly into the looping logic of the minds of very young children that are also smart and engaging enough for adults in charge of bedtime reading. Toronto’s Eric Fan and Calgary’s Dena Seiferling perform both feats in Night Lunch” – Quill & Quire Starred Review
“An inspired inversion of the sleep-pushing picture book.” – Shelf Awareness Starred Review
One of The New York Times/New York Public Library's Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2022
2022 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award
Quill & Quire’s Books of the Year
Powell’s Best Books of 2022
Indigo’s Best Kids Books
Chicago Public Library’s “Best Picture Books"
2023 Sheila Barry Honourable Mention
Available at:
Images provided by Dena Seiferling. All rights reserved.
A motley crew of talkative plants, a curious spider, and a grumpy goldfish use their newfound magical abilities to defend their family from a greedy human in this charming middle grade novel from New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry, with illustrations from the award-winning Fan brothers.
Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet—swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank—and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie (or cheese puffs, in Toasty’s case) crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever.
First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things—like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible!
It turns out Toasty’s fishtank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 27, 2025)
Length: 272 pages
ISBN13: 9781665942485
Grades: 1 - 4
Ages: 6 - 9
The Thing About Jellyfish, written by Ali Benjamin (Little Brown, Fall 2015). Cover art by Terry and Eric Fan. Cover design by Marcie Lawrence at Little, Brown and Company, with Sasha Illingworth and Dave Caplan.
Cover image by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
One Amazing Elephant, written by Linda Oatman High (Harper Collins, Feb 2017). Cover art by Terry Fan and Eric Fan. Cover design by Erin Fitzsimmons.
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, by Leslie Connor (HarperCollins, 2018). Cover art by Terry Fan and Eric Fan. Cover design by Amy Ryan.
The Lifters, by Dave Eggers (Penguin Random House 2018). Cover art by Terry Fan and Eric Fan. Interior art by Aaron Renier. Cover design by Maria T. Middleton.
Cover images by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
The Book That Proves Time Travel Happens, Henry Clark (Little, Brown, Spring 2015) Interior art by the Fan brothers.
"This never-before-seen twist on time travel adventure explores the theme of accepting those who are different--and having the courage to join them. The moment Ambrose Brody steps into a fortune-teller's tent, he is whisked into a quest that spans millennia with his best friend, an enigmatic carnival girl, and an unusual family heirloom that drops them into the middle of the nineteenth century!"
"The characters are well-crafted and charming.... School librarians and teachers will definitely want to add this to their collections."―School Library Connection, starred review
"This is such a terrifically fun, mind-bending book, I want to go back in time so I can start reading it again!"―Chris Grabenstein, author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.
Images provided by Terry and Eric Fan. All rights reserved.
A very incomplete list of some of our favourite picture books, old and new. We’ll continue to add to the list as we read new books.
