March 31 (Bloomberg) -- In Lemony Snicket’s “The Composer Is Dead,” a bumbling inspector is called to investigate a suspicious death.

Could there be a murderer lurking among the strings, brass, woodwinds or percussion instruments?

It couldn’t have been us, say the violins. “If we killed the Composer, we would have to find work at square dances or in romantic restaurants.”

Snicket, aka Daniel Handler, brings the twisted humor of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” to this book for younger children.

You might find yourself struggling to explain jokes like this one, about the conductor: “You’ve been murdering composers for years!” says the Inspector. “In fact, wherever there’s a conductor, you’re sure to find a dead composer!”

But a book that exposes children to sophisticated wordplay as well as orchestration is a treat. It even comes with a CD, hammily narrated by Snicket over music composed by the very- much-alive Nathaniel Stookey. (HarperCollins, $17.99.)

‘Naked Mole Rat’

Like Snicket, Mo Willems is a recent addition to the children’s book pantheon. In the past 6 years, he has created such unforgettable characters as the bus-loving pigeon and Knuffle Bunny. His new book, “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed,” is a parable about conformity, but its humor keeps it from feeling didactic.

Naked mole rats are little pink animals who don’t wear clothes. “No Shirt, No Shoes, Service” reads a sign on the first page. So when a fellow named Wilbur discovers the pleasure of tuxedos and leather jackets and even clown suits, the other NMRs try to force him back into line -- until their sage, Grand- pah, says of clothes: “Why not?” (Hyperion, $16.99.)

“Duck! Rabbit!,” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld, has fun with an optical illusion -- is that a duck looking to the left, with a piece of bread in his bill, or a rabbit looking to the right, with his ears streaming behind him?

The words take the form of a dialogue between two unseen people who can’t agree on what they’re seeing. Each two-page spread is surrounded by a thick black-ink border, and the duck/rabbit’s head is boldly drawn in the same black line. Watercolor is laid on for the sky, grass, water.

The illustrations are strong and simple with humorous details. Babies will love the high-contrast pictures and repetitive format; pre-schoolers can be interactive, discussing what they see; and older children will be able to read the text by themselves. (Chronicle, $16.99.)

(Laurie Muchnick is an editor for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are her own.)

To contact the writer of this column: Laurie Muchnick in New York at lmuchnick@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: March 31, 2009 00:01 EDT