It's a rare occurrence when a book appeals to adults and children alike. It takes just the right combination of wit and whimsy, cleverness and curiosity. Lemony Snicket's All the Wrong Questions succeeds on all fronts.

We begin the tale in a dismal restaurant with notorious eggs, and before long we are carried away into an even stranger town, Stain'd by the Sea. We meet colorful characters and hear strange legends. We're immersed into a confusing mess of missing persons and falsified phone calls. We observe all of this from the eyes of young Lemony Snicket himself.

With equal amounts of satire and quirkiness, Snicket delivers in his usual style. He defines words and phrases for us. He gives us a wry perspective on the world. He even offers sound advice, like, "It is good to brush your teeth when you are angry, because you brush harder and do a better job," and, "After all, the most interesting things are usually in the bottom drawer."

Lemony Snicket is the reference king. He alludes to literary classics, including Moby Dick, Little House in the Big Woods, and Johnny Tremain. As an added bonus, anyone who is familiar with his Series of Unfortunate Events will recognize names, places, and secretive organizations that crop up all over the place.

All in all, the first installment in this four-book series All the Wrong Questions is quality stuff. It sets a high standard for children's literature. Again, Snicket weaves his magical web. You may have difficulty escaping.