Tales from the Arabian Nights - by Donna Jo Napoli (Hardcover)

About the Book

A collection of tales told by Scheherazade to amuse the cruel sulttan and stop him from executing her as he had his other daily wives.

Book Synopsis

Classic stories and dazzling illustrations of princesses, kings, sailors, and genies come to life in a stunning retelling of the Arabian folk tales from One Thousand and One Nights and other collections, including those of Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. The magical storytelling of award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli dramatizes these timeless tals and ignites children's imaginations.

Review Quotes

"A brilliant tapestry woven not of yarn but of stories, both fresh and faithful to its historical roots." -- Kirkus Starred Review

"The supplemental educational content, including a map of the ancient Arab world and notes on Napoli's approach to her skilled retellings, allows for a deeper understanding of these stories and their significance within a larger cultural context." -- Publishers Weekly

"As a collection, the book straddles the line between pleasure reading--enhanced by the vibrant and highly stylized artwork--and a scholarly source, complete with sidebars, maps of the ancient Arab world, and additional sources for those interested in further pursuit." -- Booklist

"A generation raised on Disney films will recognize some of the tales, and the sheer power of the storytelling will sweep them along through the rest... And really, it simply isn't possible to beat the sheer drama of the high-stakes premise of this important literary treasure... This is a must-have for collections and young readers everywhere." -- The Booklist Reader

"Highly recommended, especially for private browsing and public library collections." -- Midwest Book Review

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About the Author

DONNA JO NAPOLI is professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College, mother of five, grandmother of five, and the author of more than 80 books for children and young adults. While her undergraduate major was mathematics and her graduate work was in linguistics, she has a profound love of mythology, folklore, and fairy tales.

CHRISTINA BALIT is a graduate of the Chelsea School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London. An award-winning dramatist and illustrator, Christina has painted more than 20 children's books, including Blodin and the Beast by Michael Morpurgo, Zoo in the Sky, The Planet Gods, The Lion Bible, National Geographic's Treasury of Greek Mythology, and National Geographic's Treasury Egyptian Mythology. Her author titles include Escape From Pompeii, Atlantis, The Legend of the Lost City, and An Arabian Home. Her plays include Woman With Upturned Skirt, The Sentence, and Needle (winner of the Brave New Role award).