Customer Reviews

The Firework-Maker's Daughter

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Philip Pullman never ceases to amaze me with his versatility-- from the complex His Dark Materials series, to his gothic (and surprisingly funny) Count Karlestein, to the creepy Clockwork... The Firework-Maker's Daughter is different from anything I've read by Pullman before, and yet it possesses his trademark wit. Short and aimed at a younger audience, The Firework-Maker's Daughter is nonetheless a lot of fun for even older readers. Lila and her various friends and types of fireworks are absolutely charming. While Pullman's tone is decidedly more satirical than Lloyd Alexander's, if you liked either Alexander's quest-type books or Philip Pullman's other works, you'll enjoy this one.

I loved the cast of colourful characters that fill this book. I think my favourite was uncle Rambashi - the failed chicken farmer and part-time pirate. An engaging story with a strong female protagonist - explosive!

I read this book to my 2 kids (7 and 10) and they loved it! The tale is an engaging, not too- predictable story of a girl who wants to follow her father's trade. There is much rich langugage and a variety of characters all neatly brought together and woven into the story. There is much imagination and wry wit. If you are looking for a fairly short (just over 100 pages) slightly fantasy/fiction book for your kids, give this one a try!

Marvelous tale involves Hamlet, the king's talking white elephant, who escapes with his personal servant to search for a missing friend, Lila, the firework-maker's daughter.

It is told with humorous twists in the style of an ancient legend. The illustrations by Gallagher are extraordinarily wonderful graphite drawings which have a photographic quality and a mythical look of their own.

Eminently readable by ages 10 through adult.

"The Firework Maker's Daughter" is a rollicking fairy tale that reminded me of James Thurber's fairy tales like "The White Deer" and "The Thirteen Clocks". It also reminded me a bit of the Oz books. I loved Rambishi the bumbling pirate, and the fireworks display at the end, especially the Bombardenorgelmitsparkenpumpe. This story is much lighter than Pullman's other works, but just as inventive. It would make a great read-aloud story.

I read this story aloud to 12 kids at summer camp. The children ranged in age from 6 to 10, and all of them were spellbound. We had a couple of interruptions during the last chapter, and each time I had to stop reading, however briefly, they pleaded with me to keep going...please!!!

Any book that can hold the attention of such a varied group of children so strongly must be good! And it is! The characters are distinct and vibrant, the language crackles and swirls delectably, the plot moves briskly and the ending is momentous, wondrous, satisfying and sweet.

Philip Pullman's wonderful story of the Firework-Maker's Daughter deserves ongoing mention as a timeless title which will earn a lasting place on library shelves. Lola wants to be a fireworks maker - a position usually reserved for men. She learns all she can from her father, but he balks at providing her final instructions in the advanced arts despite her obvious skills - so she embarks on a dangerous journey to the heart of fire to earn her own skills. Absorbing.

Philip Pullman is an extraordinary writer-- he is more celebrated in Britain than in the US -- so far...but watch for some of his books to be made into films also. This small novel is just as it says on the front cover "sheer genius" -- just charming tale about a little girl who is actually the daughter of a firework maker in China and it celebrates individuality and the extraordinary....who will marry Lila with her burned fingers and strange career? It folows her on the perilous journey to face the terrifying Fire Fiend -- will she survive...hilarious lovable characters who are a perfect complement for readers who love Harry Potter or even for those who don't. Great read aloud book -- could be read through the rest of the summer as a project....enjoy....good for adults and kids-- a great family book...exploring other cultures and other role models.

I found this book to be written slightly different than others written by Philip Pullman, but still very enjoyable. The story, although short, was still adventurous and fun and the characters were developed very well.

This story is about a girl who wants to follow in her father's footsteps. She has to go on a big adventure to Mount Merapi and visit Razvani the Fire Fiend and get some Royal Sulphur from him. When she gets there two of her friends, Chulak and the talking white elephant Hamlet, catch up with her and bring her back to save her father, who is to be executed.

I thought that this story was great. I learned many new words and many made up words. In the beginning, I thought that the story was a little foolish, but when I kept reading, I realized this book would be a great book for people to read to their kids. My favorite character was Lila because she was such an adventuress.