One Thousand and One Arabian Nights

"Arabian Nights" is one of those works that everyone has heard of, but not many have actually read. Hence I decided to actually read it, instead of guessing the stories of Ali Baba or Abu Kasim. I am glad that I did. "Arabian Nights" are well deserving their reputation as one of the best collections of fairy tales anywhere. Interwoven and connected by the young Queen wanting to stay alive, and managing to do so by telling her husband stories, the collection is amazing in language, style and sheer imagination. Most stories take place in Baghdad, and instead of a war torn, news-exploited place, Baghdad became a place of magic and place of palaces and culture so deeply entrenched, that the entire world knows of them. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to go somewhere exotic and beautiful, even if it is just in thoughts. Great reading!

My seventh grader is reading this book to my second grader. They are both loving it.

Oxford University Press, 1993. Stories (meant for children) include fables, romances, narrative jokes,and fairy tales, linked to one another by the King and Queen's own love story. Shahrazad's attempts to stave off execution by telling just one more story have been expanded to fuller effect than in many versions. The book is written in a style that is clear, gripping, and poetic, conveying the flavor of the original and preserving the context of a magic, jinni-ridden desert world. 12 color plates and many b/w illustrations.

As the teacher of an elementary school program for gifted and talented children, I wanted to introduce my fourth-grade students to the wonderful tales of the Arabian Nights that I so enjoyed myself as a child. I scanned virtually every translation I could find and found strong reasons not to select any of them--the language was old-fashioned and stilted, making the wonderful tales dreary to read. Then I came across this translation and knew I had found what I was looking for. The author writes in a clear, accessible style that truly brings these wonderful tales to life for a modern audience. The enthusiasm my students show for these stories demonstrates McCaughrean's skill as an author. I highly recommend this book for both children and adults.