The Fabulous Firework Family

by James Flora

Because of they make the best fireworks in their Mexican village, Pepito, his sister Amelia, and their parents are asked to create a grand firework castle to honor their village's patron saint, but a clever pickpocket threatens to ruin the celebration.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun!

First, the illustrations. Bold colors and creative imagery really make this book pop! I love how items were identified in Spanish too - nice way to get a little language lesson in too.

Finally, the family is pretty fabulous. A Mexican village hires them to make a firework castillo for their patron saint’s celebration day. You see (in not too much detail) how the family gathers the materials and assembles the parts. The entire town helps carry all of the pieces to the town square and the very large castillo is built.

Along with the fireworks, the village has a couple minor episodes occur that add to the frame and festivity of the day.

Ages: 3 - 8

Content Considerations: there is a skeleton and an ogre pictured. Mentions a witch.

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun little book that wonderfully showcases James Flora's classic art style. The colors really pop and the story was fun to read. I like that Spanish vocab was sprinkled throughout, and that things like donkeys and houses and boots were all labelled so that readers can learn a little Spanish without worrying about it distracting from the story.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and exciting story of a family working together, and artwork that tells a story as well. This was Flora's own favorite children's book and the first he wrote, inspired by the time he and his wife and children lived in Mexico. (I read a much older version - pre-ISBN.)

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun romp! Some may get offended by the battle the villagers stage between the Christians and the Moors, but if you aren't easily angered, you'll enjoy the pyrotechnic imagery and funny pickpocket manhunt. I learned a lot about the patron saint Santiago, and about making fireworks.