Member Reviews

Anything by the Fan Brothers i a guaranteed hit with me and this story is no exception. the marble falls from the sky and all the creatures marvel, wonder and guess what it could be. the clever spider turns it into a money making scheme! gorgeous illustrations and lots to talk about when reading.

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful illustrations that help children to reflect and learn to share. The pictures in the book play with the use of colour and black and white. Fantastic.

Was this review helpful?

It was the cover that drew me to request this book. The pages are black and white but with a splash of colour. A story about a lost treasure that appeared in the garden and all the insects not knowing what it was. The spider claimed it as his own until disaster happened! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Like every book by the wonderful Fan Brothers, this is a story where the amazing illustrations bring the story to life. The discovery of a unusual object which falls from the sky amongst a group of creatures, leads to a fun exploration of what on earth it could be. Each animal has its own ideas- maybe it's a gobstopper (Frog assumes) or perhaps a small planet (Grasshopper suggests). Eventually Spider decides it belongs to him and exhibits it so all the other creatures can visit until one disastrous day the object is taken.
I love the fact that so much conversation can come from the book about viewpoints and perspective. Who is right in their ideas? Why might each insect have come to their own conclusion? Both children and adults alike need to be reminded that different opinions aren't wrong, just different! I also love the theme of resilience that can be seen through Spider- when faced with disaster, he doesn't give up, but reflects and rebuilds, learning from his experiences and working hard. (Whether he's a totally likeable character, you will have to decide for yourself- I'm not completely convinced!)
The beautiful illustrations throughout the book and the clever use of colour is wonderful. The brightness of the special object in comparison to the grey monotony of the natural habitat of the creatures makes a great contrast. I loved this book and think its appeal is ageless- young children through to adults will appreciates its simple storyline, beautiful images and thoughtful themes.

Was this review helpful?

This is another beautiful and whimsical book from the legendary Fan Brothers.

It Fell From the Sky is a humorous tale about a group of minibeasts who discover a strange object in the garden. What could it be? Where could it have come from? Soon, the crafty spider realises he might be able to capitalise on the situation and comes up with an ingenious plan. Will it work or will greed get the better of him?

As usual, the illustrations are stunning and there is so much to unpick. I particularly loved how the greyscale contrasted with colour; just as the insects are drawn to the mysterious marble which has fallen from the sky, our eyes are drawn to the marble.

It Fell From the Sky is certainly a picture book to share and treasure!

Was this review helpful?

I kept seeing this on Twitter book talk, so took advantage of this offer.
This is a stunning picture book, most of the illustrations are black and white - it is the thing that fell from the sky that is in colour.
It is a very gentle story about some insects who don't quite know what to think of this thing that fell from the sky. They each have a slightly different take on how it fell. But the spider takes advantage and decides the thing is his and that everyone else should pay to look at it. But then something with five legs descends from the sky and takes the thing away. But the spider waits patiently and more things fall from the sky.

Was this review helpful?

Like every other book that I've read by the Fan brothers, this book is beautiful. When a strange object falls from the sky, the various creatures that encounter it have different theories about where it has come from and what it is. Eventually one creature, Spider, takes charge and uses the object for his own gain but this only works for a while. The object is soon taken away and Spider eventually realises that he had been selfish to keep it for himself. He comes up with a plan to bring all of the creatures back together.

Was this review helpful?

EEEKK! This is an INCREDIBLE book. Absolutely loved it. This might also be the first time that I've thoroughly enjoyed reading a children's picture book in a digital version. I absolutely want to see the physical copy so that I can compare but the purposeful spaces in the illustrations that let the light flood through my device is spellbinding. The use of ink and graphite along with digital techniques in this book is something you truly need to see.

On the surface it's a simple book where a magnificent object, that must be out of this world, falls from the sky. The introduction to the insects at the start had me reminiscing of reciting Who Killed Cock Robin with my stepdad as a child; each character coming in turn and unsure on the truth that they were telling. However, it all changes when capitalist Spider, seizes an opportunity to monopolise on this rarity to the detriment of the community.

Superb book that would make a wonderful text to explore deeper as a class text but equally make a stunning gift.

Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher for eARC.

Was this review helpful?

I’m really falling in love with everything the Fan brothers do, and this one is just another amazing example of their talent.
There are so many layers to enjoy, it’s a book for kids but for grown ups as well. The art is lovely, as always bringing a bit of weirdness that I really love seeing in these books. The way colors are used is very clever.
As an adult, I definitely appreciated the social commentary. It’s a story about profit, about capitalism, about the place people have in this system that makes you believe that owning things is the most important thing, and that always has you wanting more. I really enjoyed reading this!

Was this review helpful?

An Absolutely beautiful book I just love the story being in black and white and the object that fell from the sky was put in colour. The contrasting and details into this book were absolutely fantastic. The themes of community and art shone through as well as the message of giving back.

Was this review helpful?

This book was very charming, I loved the minimal use of colour in the illustrations alongside the intrigue from the creatures in the garden. It is also unique in using some creatures and insects that are normally feared in the garden. Its also a good message on how being greedy can make you lose friendships.

Was this review helpful?

The thing that first appealed to me were the beautiful illustrations. They caught my eye a while back and I’ve been desperate to read this book ever since. It did not disappoint! They story is as lovely as the illustrations and although I couldn’t decide if I liked the spider or really did not I couldn’t deny he had a great idea and made it work. This book is sure to become a firm favourite.

Was this review helpful?

Ahh..this book is such a delightful read!. I just loved the very fanciful and whimsical illustrations in the book,with its monochromatic colours with a splash of vibrant colours at the 'right and suitable' places make the story standout and more alive! especially on the 'object of Wonder'. I loved the theatrical feel/vibes i get from the way the insect characters are dressed with some fancy top hats and bow ties.

I believe this book would not only appeal to the children but also to the adults as well. I admit that i am one of those adults who was smitten by the fanciful,theatrical and whimsical illustrations and of course the story. I loved how the insects characters each were given their own unique and distinctive characters (besides fanciful costumes!).

The story begin with a fallen object,believed to have fell from the sky which brought a series of wonders, curiousity and amazements among the insects community. Each one of them were trying to guess and find out the identity of the object. Some say it is a gumdrop, some say it is a fallen planet and some believed it is a chrysalis.

The fallen object became an object of wonder and amazement to the insects community except for the crafty spider. He saw and looked at the object as an opportunity, the opportunity to make money and profit from it by holding a special exhibit to display the now popular and in-demand object which got the attention from everyone,including those from far and wide. He even put on some charges for all of them for every single entries to the exhibit. Then, the spider gets even greedier and opportunist by increasing the ticket prices as more and more insects come to see the object of wonder.

The spider's character reminds me so much of P.T Barnum on how he started the circus and of some greedy and opportunist capitalist. However, one day, suddenly a giant creature who came from out of nowhere took away the object of wonder which left the spider thinking of coming up of ways to find other new object of wonder. But will he share the object with everyone else? Or will he take the opportunity by turning it into another profit-making scheme?.

Simply put, this story is not only visually stunning but also filled with some valuable life lessons and moral values that appeal to both the children as well as the adults. I should know because i am one of those entertained adult!. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this entertaining book.

Was this review helpful?

A strange object falls from the sky, and as the creatures claim what it could be one creature forms an idea ... what follows is a masterplan and a money making scheme... but what will happen when the five legged creature comes to regain what is theirs... what happens next shows that any person's rubbish can be another's treasure.

Was this review helpful?

A stunning book giving a viewpoint we don’t often think of! A subtle reminder to share without asking for something in return, especially the wonders of our world!

A book to be read multiple times for the slow steady story, and for the stunning illustrations that bring the tale to life

Was this review helpful?

I haven’t read anything by the Fan Brothers before but the cover of this book really caught my attention. After reading this I will definitely look out for other books by these two artists.

The story starts on a Thursday. In the home of the bugs, a mysterious object has suddenly appeared from the sky above. All the tiny garden creatures are puzzled about what this huge and beautiful thing could be.

Then the clever (and greedy) spider decides that it belongs to him. He builds an exhibition and each bug must pay a leaf to come and see the object. The insects get tired of queuing and paying leaves and the visitors stop coming. Selfish spider believes they will soon return but then something awful happens! A giant creature comes from the sky snd steals his wonder!

Spider is left alone with no ‘wonder’ and no one to help him. Luckily, the stars give him an idea that will help him bring amazing and wonderful objects into the lives of all the insects in the garden.


This really is a great picture book. The illustrations are fantastic. Anyone looking through the pages must look just as amazed as the bug characters in the story! Most of the illustrations are black and white with colour being carefully used on the ‘object’ so it really stands out. But even in black and white you will love the detail and personality of each creature.

Was this review helpful?

A beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated book which is reminiscent of Shaun Tan’s evocative writing. It provides much food for thought - and whilst younger readers will appreciate the whimsy, older readers will be able to consider the ethical and social dilemmas the book eludes to. I cannot wait to add it to our PSHe scheme.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for a preview peek.
This is such a beautifully illustrated book, it starts with beautiful contrasting pencil work. Monochrome with a dash of colour.

Something falls from the sky and each animal thinks it's something different and wonder about who it belongs too. There are many layers to this story and I would love to share it with an older class to see what there thoughts would be, especially towards the spider. What would they do if they were one of the animals?
The use of colour throughout is important and also tells it's own story - a wonderful story that will be enjoyed by children of many ages.

Was this review helpful?

A beautifully illustrated story about greed and corporation. I rather wish the spider had learnt its lesson by the end-this may be true but I wasn't sure.
The characters and illustrations are gorgeous and I really enjoyed reading it.

Was this review helpful?

What an absolutely stunning book. This is a charming and sweet tale that brings together all the minibeasts united in their curiosity. The characters are all engaging, the morals clear, and a story that tells of friendship no matter our differences. The illustrations are beyond beautiful. They are monochromatic, with a single pop of colour, and it suits the story wonderfully. What a resounding success.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?