13 Words [Paperback]

From bestselling author Lemony Snicket and celebrated illustrator Maira Kalman comes an uproarious, whimsical word book like no other.

Together, Snicket and Kalman present a strikingly beautiful journey woven from a practical introduction to thirteen wonderful words, featuring such marvels as Bird, Dog, Panache, and Haberdashery. Snicket, the notoriously clever and elusiveNew York Timesbestselling author, pushes the boundaries of storytelling in the most fanciful of ways. Maira Kalman, renowned for her art and design, carries this madcap adventure to wondrous heights with her vision of a world populated with hats, song, and cake. This rollicking, surprising book is a true celebration of words.

This book contains the following words:

Colors
Home
Little
Spiffy
Box
Mess
Icing
Friend
Chocolate
Ta-da
Beautiful
Swell
Excitement

a winsome story of friendship--proceeds thus, with a Snicketian 13 words in all. Snicket and Kalman are perfectly matched here, both revelers in lifes delicious details and things best left unexplained. This charming chef-doeuvre sings like a mezzo-soprano. A book that pushes boundaries and demands such active participation on the part of both readers and listeners to connect language and images (and Kalmans quirky artwork is a perfect fit, littered with fun details) is to be commended.