It Fell From the Sky

There are few more talented picture book creators in Canada than the marvellous Fan Brothers. Terry and Eric Fan already have an impressive list of accomplishments. Their collaborative work on It Fell from the Sky will result only in further recognition and kudos.

The first thing potential readers will see is the enticing cover design featuring the spare use of colour on an otherwise grayscale image. This pattern is maintained throughout the book. The beautiful, detailed, mostly double-page spread illustrations were created in graphite and then coloured digitally. They are truly works of art.

A colourful glass marble falls to the ground, and, like moths drawn to a light, a variety of insects gather round in awe. Spider insists the marble belongs to him because, he claims, it fell into his web. He has great plans to show off the “Wonder from the Sky”, and his plans see him benefit handsomely in the form of piles of green leaves as payment to see the amazing object. However, his increased wealth comes at great cost when he discovers he is left alone by his one-time neighbours.

The writing is concise and precise. Not a word is wasted in telling the story of Spider’s greed and the lessons he is forced to endure. The delightful illustrations are heavily textured and magnificently detailed. They feature skilful use of light and dark spaces to add visual appeal to the work. There exists a playful touch to the portrayal of the insects—top hats, umbrellas, bow ties, and the like are among the accoutrements appearing with the insects. However, there is an effective blend of realism and imagination in the artwork that succeeds well and will appeal to readers of all ages. That said, it is the stunning artwork that will first draw children to the book. Parents and teachers will be pleasantly surprised by the important lessons the book also conveys about selfishness, sharing, and generosity.