Taken from Sir Richard F. Burton's massive translation of The Arabian Nights, this picture-book relates the adventures of Aladdin, the lazy son of a poor tailor, who wins a fortune, and the hand of the Emperor's daughter, with the help of a magic lamp and its genie-inhabitant.

When a Moroccan magician arrives in China, and pretends to be Aladdin's long-lost uncle, the young man is initially fooled. But after being holed up in the ground and left for dead, he soon realizes his mistake. Luckily, he has access to a magic ring and lamp, and his fortune soon takes a turn for the better. But will Aladdin be able to hold onto his newfound happiness and blessings, when the magician returns...?

While I appreciated that this adaptation included the original Chinese setting of the tale, I found the narrative only moderately engaging. Leonard Lubin's blue Chinoiserie illustrations, while appropriate to the tale, left me unmoved. All in all, this is not a title I would recommend to anyone but the most dedicated Arabian Nights enthusiast. ( )