A tiny holiday book, but not short on humor and charm, Lemony
Snicket's "The Lump of Coal" is a
perfect fable for a modern
generation that still enjoys Christmas classics like: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".
Though the poor tormented Baudelaire orphans are nary to be found,
Snicket still manages to bring his verbal flare and his usual tongue-in-cheek style to the forefront with the added bonus that readers need not have to worry about catching up on previous Snicket tales.
The story is short and sweet: A little lump of coal strives to find its place in life in the winter season. Though its heart is set on a career of art and cooking, life throws only sorrow at our poor hero's feet. Enter a large man in a red suit to bring some hope into the picture.
Brett Helquist's art is, as usual, beautiful and his design for the coal is precious but not cloying.
It is a
perfect book for small children, or ones looking for a quick read, and reminds us that miracles are to be found in almost any situation.