13 Words

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 elusive New York Times bestselling 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.

13 Words:

1. Bird
2. Despondent
3. Cake
4. Dog
5. Busy
6. Convertible
7. Goat
8. Hat
9. Haberdashery
10. Scarlet
11. Baby
12. Panache
13. Mezzo-Soprano

“a winsome story of friendship--proceeds thus, with a Snicketian 13 words in all. Snicket and Kalman are perfectly matched here, both revelers in life’s delicious details and things best left unexplained. This charming chef-d’oeuvre sings like a mezzo-soprano. ” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A book that pushes boundaries and demands such active participation on the part of both readers and listeners to connect language and images (and Kalman’s quirky artwork is a perfect fit, littered with fun details) is to be commended.” - ALA Booklist

“It’s not easy to connect ‘convertible,’ ‘haberdashery,’ ‘panache,’ and ‘mezzo-soprano,’ but Snicket does so in a manner more fanciful than forced. Kalman kicks up the quirky factor in sly and surreal scenes filled with visual references to Kaftka, Renaissance art, the fez and Einstein. The venturesome will cheer its playful spirit.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“[A] serenely surreal picture book. It beams with the happy, non didactic modernist invention of Gertrude Stein or Margaret Wise Brown. ” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The artwork is trademark Kalman: playful, colorful, and filled with surprises. ” - School Library Journal

“13 Words is a winning combination of Lemony Snicket’s wry narrative tone and Maira Kalman’s droll pictures.” - Chicago Tribune