The Arabian Nights (Classics Advanced Readers) - Softcover

Tarnowska, Wafa'

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1846865689 ISBN 13: 9781846865688

Publisher: Barefoot Books, 2011

Synopsis

Lebanese author Wafa Tarnowska opens a window onto the Arab world with her magnificent translation of eight stories from A Thousand and One Nights. This edition is notable for combining favorites such as Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp with less familiar tales such as The Diamond Anklet and The Speaking Bird and the Singing Tree. The collection also features the frame stories about Shahriyar and Shahrazade.

About this title

About the Author:

Wafa Tarnowska was born in Lebanon, has lived in Australia, India, Cyprus and Poland, and is currently based in Dubai. In her work, Wafa strives to create a valuable bridge between East and West, helping to break down the stereotypical images people have of one another. Wafa is also the author of The Seven Wise Princesses, a retelling for children of the Sufi writer Nizami s medieval classic Haft Paykar.

Carole Henaff is inspired by her travels and is never without her sketchbook. She studied theatrical literature in Paris before moving to Barcelona to study graphic design and illustration. Carole has illustrated children s books in France and Spain, including Smara, which was awarded the Isaac Diaz Pardo Prize for Best Illustrated Book, 2006.

From Booklist:

With bright, lush, stylized acrylic illustrations, this collection of eight stories from A Thousand and One Nights is designed for reading aloud, but in contrast to many watered-down versions, these tales may find their best audience with older elementary students and middle-schoolers. The long introductory story, Shahriyar Meets Shahrazade, tells of the shah’s discovery of his beloved wife’s betrayal and his shocking decision to marry a new bride every day and then order her death. Then he meets and marries Shahrazade, who persuades Shahriyar to keep her alive by telling him a riveting story each night. Sinbad and Ali Baba aren’t included, but most children will know Aladdin, which is told here in a detailed, relaxed, colloquial style. In the introduction, Tarnowska talks about the story’s roots, as well as growing up in Lebanon and hearing tales of strong women from her grandmother. Throughout, the spacious paintings capture the sense of the supernatural in daily life, including magical images of people taking flight above city, trees, and desert. Grades 4-8. --Hazel Rochman

About this edition

• Publisher: Barefoot Books
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1846865689
• ISBN 13: 9781846865688
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160
• Illustrator: Hénaff Carole