Hello, friends! Our book today is It Fell From the Sky by The Fan Brothers, a wondrous parable about community and the unknown.

On a Thursday, the object fell from the sky. None of the insects knew what it was – a chrysalis? A gumdrop? A flower? – but after some deliberation, most agreed: it was not of this earth. Sneakily staking his claim on “the Wonder”, The Spider builds a city around the artifact, charging visitors to observe it and overdeveloping their lovely garden. That is… until the Unexpected Disaster occurs…

A marvelous fable. The Fan Brothers have an immense talent for creating fairytales out of the everyday, and this is a great example of it. From the deadpan, matter-of-fact narration, the gorgeously detailed artwork (complete with oddly and amusingly formal garden creatures in top hats and bowlers), and unexpected twists, this is a fun and entertaining tale for kids. Add in a surprisingly subtle, nuanced commentary on capitalist greed and cultural looting, and it becomes something strikingly clever and moving. The length is perfect for a storytime, and JJ loved the unique personalities of the different critters, as well as the humorous twists and mesmerizing art. Overall, a well-spun fable that kids and adults will enjoy, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)