Rating: 
Summary: Reminded me of James Thurber and L. Frank Baum
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: Reminded me of James Thurber and L. Frank Baum
Review: "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.
Rating: 
Summary: 'The Firework-Maker's Daughter'
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: 'The Firework-Maker's Daughter'
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Explosive!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: An engaging short book with wonderful language!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Illustrated Fable
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Another delightful tale from Philip Pullman
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A timeless and wonderful tale.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment of the masterful Pullman's stories
Review: The Fiewwork-Maker's Daughter, unfortunately, was a very disappointing, predictable read -- and I really expected more from Philip Pullman, who is such a master at writing top-notch stories with a wonderful zest. The characters are weak, which is unusual in Philip Pullman's writing -- unlike the His Dark Materials trilogy, the characters are too rushed tn personality and the story jumps right at the start. The plot, although very well thought out, is disappointingly short and makes me wonder if Philip Pullman ever wrote the story. Lila's journey to learn the secret of firework making is far too rushed and roughly a follow-up of Lyra's amazing adventure in THE GOLDEN COMPASS. I expected more in this book , and although it is a very satisfying read for younger readers, most of Philip Pullman's readers may end up being disappointed. Philip Pullman had done far better and has crafted ingenious stories such as HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass), of which The Fireworker Maker's Daughter is virtually INCOMPARABLE to. I know that Pullman has done far better, and continues to do so -- his other books are marvelous, full of plots that are masterfully crafted and beautifully written. Every author has his or her one disappointent ; in The Firework Maker's Daugher, this was the case.
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