Tales From the Arabian Nights

October 17, 2016
Napoli and Balit follow their collections of Egyptian, Greek, and Norse myth with a selection of the stories recounted by Scheherazade, a girl “subject to the whims of a man so deeply wounded his ego wobbles with every step,” as Napoli writes in her introduction. Brief sidebars provide context and insight into the stories: a discussion titled “Horses in History” accompanies Sindbad the sailor’s fourth voyage, and an overview of the use of rugs joins “The Tale of Prince Hussain and the Magic Carpet.” Balit’s ornate tableaus feature fluid forms and gold accents, helping evoke the drama and mystery of the tales. 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. Ages 8–12.

Starred review from September 15, 2016
Forty-five (compressed from the original 1,001) nights of interwoven stories map Scheherazade's courageous campaign to heal the heart of her murderous and disillusioned husband--and save her own life in the bargain.Drawn from authoritative sources and retold in plain (and, aside from references to the Almighty, nonreligious) language, the selections are arranged in several sequences of nights, with "extras" interposed and interludes that set up and flesh out the frame story. Brave and clever women stand out in these versions, notably Ali Baba's wife, Marjana, the princess who marries Maaruf the Cobbler (and Maaruf's comically abusive first wife, Dung Fatima)--and especially Scheherazade herself, who over the many nights, any one of which could be her last, presents Shah Rayar with three children as well as tantalizingly strung-out adventures featuring moral quandaries, decisions wise and foolish, reversals of fortune, love, and wisdom's growth. Overall, Napoli sees the Arabian Nights as more "optimistic" than the Greek, Norse, or ancient Egyptian mythologies she has explored in previous collections in this series: "There is a strong sense that good behavior will lead to good results and that the world is basically a lot more delightful than it is frightful." Balit whirls bright patterns around stylized figures to add notes of grandeur to each tale. Faces are light-skinned, but she does add hints of regional features and dress for stories set in "China" or "the Indies." A brilliant tapestry woven not of yarn but of stories, both fresh and faithful to its historical roots. (introduction, index, extensive source notes) (Folk tales. 10-14)

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February 1, 2017

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

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