The Lump of Coal

by Lemony Snicket

Another picture book!!!

This one was super cute. The Lump of Coal features the main character as (duh) a lump of coal who secretly has a burning desire to be an artist. He longs to draw rough, dark strokes on paper. And if he can't get a position as an artist, he hopes to at least be of some use to someone. He visits art galleries and Korean barbecue restaurants in hopes of fulfilling his dreams, but he is turned down at each place. Finally, he meets someone who sends him off to the most unexpected place, where "miracles" happen.

This book was one of Lemony Snicket's more happier books- in fact, it was positively gleeful compared to some of his other works. For those who have read The Series of Unfortunate Events, the writing style and the illustrations are familiar, adorable, and just plain fantastic.