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Product Description 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. From School Library Journal Gr 4 Up—A carefully researched collection of tales from the Arabian Nights accompanied by a wealth of historical and cultural commentary. Napoli, a seasoned teller of ancient legends (Treasury of Egyptian Mythology; Treasury of Greek Mythology), first introduces readers to the main tropes and reoccurring themes present in many of the pieces, effectively setting up a critical framework for students to draw from (e.g., What is the significance of the self-reliant hero? What is the relationship between storyteller and listener, etc.). Napoli addresses Scheherazade but also emphasizes that each episode can stand on its own. The work includes 25 tales, from the seven voyages of Sinbad to "King Yunan and Sage Duban." Balit's illustrations are eye-catching; the emphasis on pattern captures not only the energy and magic of the entries but also a key tenet of Islamic art. Sidebars expand on topics within the stories to provide students with a deeper understanding of some of the more subtle cultural aspects of each vignette (the importance of the number four, the transformational power of words, bathing as a social activity, and more). The volume concludes with a postscript, where Napoli expands on the history of the Arabian Nights and the editorial choices she made when compiling the work. VERDICT A grand addition to Napoli's treasury of mythology books. Consider to refresh collections.—Della Farrell, School Library Journal Review "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 . 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 S