Arabic Persian and Indian in origin these world-famous tales of magic and adventure brim over with life. Interwoven with a fantastical world of genies and magicians is a depiction of medieval Islamic society from poor peasants and low-life robbers to wealthy sultans and princesses. First recited by storytellers the tales began to be collected and written down in the 9th century - later becoming known as the Arabian Nights. Today these stories have inspired numerous films cartoons and pantomimes that have made their characters household names.This collection includes the framing story of Shahrazad and well-known favourites such as Aladdin and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Rosalind Kerven's lively retellings capture the spirit of the tales and the historical settings are explored by hundreds of paintings photographs and facts about Islamic society life in a Persian court and genies in Arabic folklore. This unique collection will inspire a new generation of children.

 

This book features in the following series: Dk Eyewitness, Dk Eyewitness Classics .

There are 64 pages in this book. This book was published 1998 by Dorling Kindersley Ltd .

Rosalind Kerven trained as an anthropologist and has edited and reviewed children's books for a number of years. She has written many collections of myths and legends, and several children's novels. She lives in Morpeth, Northumberland. Alan Marks studied art at Bath Academy in 1980 and has since illustrated over 20 children's picture books. Alan's first book, Storm, written by Kevin Crossley Holland, won the Carnegie Medal, and Ring a Ring o' Roses won the Bologna UNICEF Award. In 1996, Thomas and the Tinners was shortlisted for the Smarties Prize and The Thief's Daughter became National Curriculum recommended reading. He lives in Elmstone, Kent.