mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
Much like [b:Cinnamon|13389825|Cinnamon|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499999325s/13389825.jpg|18620713], this is fairy-tale like in the theme of a quest to make a girl happy. Set in 13th century Venice, Hofmeyr weaves in the city's illustrious glass-making history and tells a story about a young girl who is deeply unhappy. Her father challenges anyone who can make her smile to winning a vast palace of glass. What wins her over in the end is a nice message about looking inwards to affect how we look outwards - a more forward-thinking change from those traditional tale tropes. I also liked the fact that both men and women took on the challenge of making the daughter smile rather than a host of men. Ray's illustrations show her at the very peak of her skill; I found them rather wonderful.
catlinjo's review against another edition
3.0
Great story, though didn't really need the "moral" page at the end.
alicebennett's review against another edition
5.0
A fairytale about a glassmaker who wants to make his daughter smile, so he invites men from far and wide who present the most beautiful objects but nothing is successful. It turns out that friendship and laughter is the best gift. A book about appreciating what you have in life.
lauren_miller's review against another edition
4.0
The story is pretty basic and the moral quotidian, but THE ART, my goodness, I love it!
ellielabbett's review
4.0
When the glassmaker finds himself unable to change his melancholy daughter's mood, a competition to win her smile begins. From far and wide come people trying to entice her happiness, but no matter their talent and the tricks they perform, Daniela's frown remains firm...
With an empowering message about finding inner happiness and helping others to see what resides within themselves, Hofmeyr left me with the lasting impression that true joy does not come through selfish intentions and a quick fix.
With an empowering message about finding inner happiness and helping others to see what resides within themselves, Hofmeyr left me with the lasting impression that true joy does not come through selfish intentions and a quick fix.
mat_tobin's review
4.0
Much like [b:Cinnamon|13389825|Cinnamon|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1499999325s/13389825.jpg|18620713], this is fairy-tale like in the theme of a quest to make a girl happy. Set in 13th century Venice, Hofmeyr weaves in the city's illustrious glass-making history and tells a story about a young girl who is deeply unhappy. Her father challenges anyone who can make her smile to winning a vast palace of glass. What wins her over in the end is a nice message about looking inwards to affect how we look outwards - a more forward-thinking change from those traditional tale tropes. I also liked the fact that both men and women took on the challenge of making the daughter smile rather than a host of men. Ray's illustrations show her at the very peak of her skill; I found them rather wonderful.
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