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Summary
Summary
This is a story about a lump of coal who can think, talk, and move itself around.
Is there a more charming holiday tale to behold? Probably, but Lemony Snicket has not written one.
Author Notes
Lemony Snicket is the pen name of Daniel Handler, who was born on February 28, 1970. As Lemony Snicket, he is the author of and appears as a character in the children's book series A Series of Unfortunate Events. He has also written or contributed to other works using this pen name including Baby in the Manger, The Lump of Coal, The Composer Is Dead, and Where Did You See Her Last?.
Under his real name, Handler is the author of several books for adults including The Basic Eight, Watch Your Mouth, and Adverbs.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-In this tale of Christmas miracles, Snicket chronicles the adventures of an anthropomorphic lump of coal with a dream. The "small, flammable hero" meets his share of naysayers and phonies on his quest to be an artist. He eventually becomes despondent and settles for something that is "better than nothing." It is when he least expects his miracle that it occurs, enabling him to fulfill his destiny. Snicket's trademark arch humor delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments en route to the happy ending. Longtime collaborator Helquist brings the characters to life with simplicity and charm. The lump of coal is sufficiently lumpy and elegantly dressed. Those who would stand in his way are ridiculed with appropriately subtle visual barbs. The entire saga is presented in a seven-inch-square volume that is thought-provoking and captivating, and sure to be in demand.-Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
(Primary, Intermediate) Having skewered the perennial favorite Hanukkah treat last season in The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming, Lemony Snicket turns his attention to Christmas in this tale about a lump of coal with artistic aspirations. The story's nattily dressed protagonist attempts to make his way in the world while expressing himself creatively through drawing. He's stymied by a snooty gallery owner and the proprietor of Mr. Wong's Korean Barbeque Palace and Secretarial School before crossing paths with a drugstore Santa whose nephew shares the lump of coal's artistic temperament. The story is atypically free of peril, but the particular brand of Snicket humor, characterized by intentionally oblique plotting, tenuous logic, and snappy wordplay, is on full display; there are also moments of genuine, unguarded sentiment. Helquist's full-color illustrations manage to make the protagonist look like an actual lump of coal -- but one whose body language and facial expressions reflect his big dreams and desire for creative fulfillment. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
One might say that Snicket, author of the wildly successful A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Helquist, the illustrator of same, have diminished their talents with this short, illustrated Christmas story about a talking lump of coal. Suspend judgment here, dear reader, and remember that in the hands of a clever writer almost anything can become a character. This particular lump of coal has artistic aspirations, dresses in a suit and bow tie and not only reads but speaks in complete sentences as well, unlike most lumps of coal. Minor miracles occur when the lump of coal and a teenage boy combine their creative abilities, resulting in artistic works that sell for enormous amounts, leading to travel and business success. A final page speaks gently of the value of all minor miracles, especially at Christmas. The volume's size, as well as the book in general, may strike many as diminutive, which here means small in stature, but make no mistake as to its usefulness, as many a Christmas stocking will accept such an endeavor in lieu of a real lump of coal. (Picture book. 8 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Just in time for the full-on onslaught of holiday sentimentality, Lemony Snicket comes to the rescue, offering up an acerbic miniature picture book that hides a droll sweetness beneath a biting sardonic wit. It's December again, and our hero, a lump of coal with an identity crisis (inexplicably wearing a tuxedo) is off in search of a miracle that will give meaning to his life. He tries an art gallery; perhaps he could smudge himself across a canvas masterpiece. No go. He tries a Korean barbecue; maybe he can fuel the fire that roasts eggplant and warms holiday hearts. Nope. At last, a drug-store Santa claims him as the perfect addition to his disobedient stepson's stocking, and the coal lump finds his place in the world. The tongue-in-cheek narrative receives able support from Helquist's full-color illustrations, which nicely extend the humor. This Snicket title is extra-wry, but the bracing tone cuts through the honeyed happy ending for a Christmas cocktail that's just right.--Barthelmess, Thom Copyright 2008 Booklist
