King Shahryar used to be a wise king. However, when his brother, King Shahzaman came to him with a broken heart, King Shahryar becomes angry and orders that all woman to be wedded to him for one day and killed the next day. Hearing this, the vizier’s daughter Scheherazade asks to become the king’s wife. On the first night, she starts telling enchanting stories but couldn’t finish it on the first night. So the king lets her live so he can hear the next part. She does the same the next day and the next. The nine stories she tells the king are full of wisdom and eventually the king understands what she was trying to do and they live happily ever after.

This is an abridged version of the Arabian Nights. It is a collection of nine short stories that are split into different nights the stories were told. The book uses a lot of descriptive words that paint the picture. Also, it includes the story of Aladdin and readers might find it interesting to compare it with the Disney animation. However, readers might have some difficulty with the names of the characters. The illustrations are pen sketches that show what the characters wore and the environment they were in.

At the end of the book, there are questions that can be used to evoke discussions. Arabian Night is a well-known story that has been adapted into popular culture many time. This book will be an easy way to introduce the readers to the stories. ( )