Firework-Maker's Daughter

by Philip Pullman

Book Overview

Lila knows everything about making fireworks, but she learns that to be a true firework-maker, one must face the Fire-Fiend of Mount Merapi. After she sets off, her friend Chulak discovers another... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0590187198
• ISBN13: 9780590187190
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• Length: 102 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Reminded me of James Thurber and L. Frank Baum

"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.

Explosive!

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!

Outstanding Illustrated Fable

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.

An engaging short book with wonderful language!

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!

Another delightful tale from Philip Pullman

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.