Barnaby is a "perfect pet" and once he's finally sold into a loving family everything is perfect - until the little girl hears about Rainbow Barnaby and stops paying attention to him.
Like with the original Barnabus book, this is definitely a bittersweet story. A little offbeat but very charming! It's on the longer end for a picture book so I'd probably recommend for ages 5-6+

In this sequel to "The Barnabus Project", Barnaby, the perfect pet, finds a home at last. He's happy there, until the new and improved (rainbow striped) Barnaby is introduced, and then he's not so sure. The same luminous artwork from Barnabus helps to move the story along to its happy ending. Fans of Barnabus will enjoy this one too.

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.

This was the cutest little book! I loved that in the end, Barnaby found his little girl and his worth!

We are longtime fans of the Fan Brothers! Their artwork is absolutely stunning and we all love the Barnabus Project and all its incredible characters. So lovely to return to that world with another sweet story. Again, the artwork is amazing. I could pour over these books for hours to take in all the beautiful details.
I often wonder if stuffies could feel when our kids get new ones and the older ones get relegated to the closet 😂

This was too stinkin’ cute. A charming and emotionally poignant story about friendship, belonging, and insecurity, and how maybe you don’t always need to get the new, shiny thing. The art is gorgeous, and the story was compelling, imaginative, and fast to read. I can’t wait to gift this to the little ones in my life!

Barnaby is not only a cute little half-mouse, half-elephant; he is also pink and fully trained! He is the most perfect ‘perfect pet’ in the store, until a rainbow version comes along. It’s a sweet story with the most adorable perfect pet and wonderful other character designs. It’s a standalone picture book set in the world of The Barnabus Project. I haven’t read the other books before, but now I definitely will!

Oh, Fan brothers! Your work never ceases to amaze me! The art, the story, all of it! This one is slightly reminiscent of Toy Story, but in its own unique way. I cannot wait to share Barnaby with my little readers!

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.

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.

The illustrations are beautiful in the book and I love the uniqueness of Barnaby. I felt the book was a bit confusing. The girl didn’t want Barnaby but then goes all over the city looking for him? She wasn’t taking care of him or spending time with him. I guess I was confused about the toys in the dumpster too. I was unsure what message this book would be trying to get to the reader and I was unclear of it. I would absolutely look for books to share with my students by this illustrator though. They are warm and creative.

Barnaby Unboxed reminds me of Knufflebunny and Paddington. Barnaby felt unloved sitting at the perfect pet shop that is until a little girl brings him home. He loves the little girl and she loves him, until a new version of Barnaby is seen on TV. Barnaby runs away feeling unloved. Can Barnaby and his little girl be reunited or have they both forgotten each other.
A sweet story of the love children have for special toys.
The illustrations are beautiful and soft. Barnaby definitely seems cuddly.

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.

THE BARNABUS PROJECT is one of, if not my very favorite, picture books that read aloud to kids. So I was over-the-moon happy about a sequel! And while I didn't love it quite as much as BARNABUS, it is definitely a worthy companion. The Fan Brothers never fail to stun me with their illustrations. The art is so captivating. I can already envision a great storytime pairing the two books. I am so grateful to have had the chance to read this early!

I loved the Barnabus Project, so I was excited to read this one. A cute story in the land of Perfect Pets. Barnaby is part elephant and part mouse, with a dash of flamingo. I want a Barnaby, and I think students will enjoy and relate to this heartfelt story.

Barnaby just wants to find a home. This was a very cute story about belonging and having worth just as you are. I like the tie in with the original Barnabus Project.

Do you remember Barnabus?

No? How about all of his friends? They caused quite a stir at Perfect Pets.

Still no? No matter. Meet Barnaby. He's everything you could want in a perfect pet. He's trained, adorable, and if you take him home he'll love you forever.

The question is: will you always love him?

Barnaby Unboxed! is another sweet story by the Fan brothers about a cute little creature whose world is rocked by unexpected circumstances. Just like the Barnabus Project, Barnaby Unboxed! is a delightful tale full of sweetness and adventure, and most importantly, a happy ending.

I have never been so excited to receive and review an ARC book before! My boys adore The Barnabus Project, but my Kindergartner is obsessed with it. I sat down to read Barnaby Unboxed! with them, and they were immediately smitten. The second I finished this book they were begging for a reread, and we will definitely be purchasing this one.

The Fans are back with another story in the world of The Barnabus Project. While Barnabus was wholly unique and immersive, I found Barnaby to be a bit predictable and it fell a little flat - this concept has been done before, and although the illustrations are as lush as always, it's not my favourite offering from the brothers.

Barnaby is the lonely last edition of the Barnaby pet line, and is waiting to be adopted from the Perfect Pets shelf. When a little girl chooses him and takes him home, he thinks life is perfect: until the new Rainbow Barnaby is released, and he slowly starts to be forgotten. This book follows Barnaby as he runs away from home, meets new friends, and maybe is eventually found again.

I read this without having read The Barnabus Project, and thought it was a really charming story. Now, having read the Barnabus Project, I have more of an appreciation for the little easter eggs and references throughout the text. Barnaby (and Barnabus) is illustrated so well and is so adorable, the emotional impact of this book hit a little harder. The length of the story is nice considering its a picture book, as you get to spend a lot of time with the story. Having read The Barnabus Project now, I think it is stronger: but I still really enjoyed this one.

Adorable follow-up story to "The Barnabus Project" featuring a Barnaby that gets forgotten. Will his little girl find him when he runs away? Does absence make the heart grow fonder?

Some strong undertones of the dangers of capitalism and the need to produce new even when there is nothing wrong with the old.

Thank you to Tundra Books, NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the eARC.