The book is a whimsical fantasy novel that follows the adventures of a blue bear as he navigates a world filled with bizarre creatures and surreal landscapes. With half a life more than the usual allotment for his species, the protagonist recounts his experiences, which range from being raised by mini-pygmies to attending an academy for gifted creatures, and from escaping the clutches of a carnivorous island to befriending a sentient tornado. Each of his thirteen and a half lives is a unique tale of curiosity, learning, and survival, set in a richly imagined universe that defies the ordinary at every turn.

The 3595th greatest book of all time