Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) and my favorite illustrator Maira Kalman have collaborated on a new children’s book: 13 Words. It features just that – 13 seemingly random words somehow connected into a narrative that has something to do with a despondent bird and his loyal dog friend. The book appears in bookstores in a few days, but in the meantime, here’s the book trailer which I just watched with A., my 12 month old daughter.
I knew I was going to love it and suspected A. would enjoy it too, but just how much, I couldn’t have guessed. But now that I think about it: How could this video not enthrall and amaze her when it features some of the words, objects, and ideas that she is actually in the process of learning and acquiring? Dog. Hat. Bird. Cake. Baby. Convertible and Scarlet (granted, for her these translate into car and red). As for the remaining five words–haberdashery, mezzo-soprano, panache, despondent, and busy–perhaps they are meant for the sensibility of parents like myself?
So, yes, it’s a children’s book, but just like Kalman’s Illustrated Elements of Style which is a book for wordsmiths and grammarians but also for grammarphobes, this one too has something for everyone, children and adults alike.
Speaking of the illustrated Elements of Style, here’s a piece I wrote about it a long time ago, pulled out from the archives via the snazzy Scribd.
And, here, just discovered by yours truly, a gorgeous video homage to the Elements of Style, by Maira Kalman.
These videos couldn’t be more different in terms of tone and style and yet there’s the common denominator of … cake. What I would give for a good piece of cake right now. Something like this.
Wow. I love it! Stop showing hats. It is not appropriate!! Great video. Looks like a great book. Also… hooray for Writing magazine!
I LOVE Maira Kalman! And since you are a fan of her work as well – a must read is ‘Principles of Uncertainty’ – i think its one of her best works….
Oh, that certainly put a smile on my face. I especially love the way the mezzo-soprano’s mouth moves around just a bit while she sings. I adore Maira Kalman. I will be buying this book for my baby Parker, now 16 months. His big brother Kieran will like it too. Thanks for posting this, Sandhya! And yes, hurray for Writing magazine.