Lemony Snicket had an unusual education which may or may not explain his ability to evade capture. He is the author of the 13 volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, several picture books including The Dark, and the books collectively titled All The Wrong Questions. Maira Kalman has written and illustrated many books, such as And the Pursuit of Happiness, The Principles of Uncertainty, Looking at Lincoln, Fireboat, and with Lemony Snicket, 13 Words. She is a contributor to The New Yorker and the New York Times. Born in Tel Aviv, she lives in New York City.

"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