Practical Happiness: Simple Techniques for Bringing Positivity, Joy and Balance into Everyday Life

by Kim Davies, Sheila Moxley (Illustrations)

A retelling of the enthralling stories by a renowned folklorist, including Aladdin and Ali Baba, with evocative illustrations

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Childrens

128 pages, Hardcover

Published December 20, 2019

Reviews

[Nancy O'Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Philip's interpretation of The Arabian Nights selects fifteen tales from the classic collection of Arabian folktales and interprets them for a modern audience. Philip has included some of the best known tales such as “Aladdin” and “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” as well as those that may be unfamiliar to those who are not well versed in Arabian folktales. Some of the unfamiliar tales will be easy for children to connect to, as they have elements in common with Western fairy tales (for example, “The Anklet” resembles the story of Cinderella). Each story, which can be anywhere from two to over twenty pages long is written in a language that can be easily understood by children. The author may have simplifies the language of some tales, but he makes sure to keep the original Arabic names for the character, giving the book an authentic feel. Each story is accompanied with illustrations by Sheila Moxley, which can take up an entire page or merely decorate the text. Each painting is filled with bright colors, and includes architecture, props, and costumes that depicts the time frame which these stories take place in. The book ends with a conclusion by Neil Philip that lists his sources, explains the methods for choosing his tales, and gives a good reason for omitting one of the most famous tales from Arabian Nights, “Sinbad the Sailor” (the story was too long for this collection).
Recommended Grade Level- Grades 1-3
Notes- The Arabian Nights is an example of multicultural literature
(This review was written for a class)

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first read for me, and quite enjoyable.

[David Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always wanted to read Arabian nights, while this is a collection of just some of the tales and edited for children, I found to be a excellent book and will hope to find more fuller tales from Arabian nights.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I first encountered this version of the classic tale of clever Sheherazade and how her storytelling prowess saved her life, and it's still my favorite. As the subtitle states, it's only 16 of her 1001 tales, but they are wonderfully told here, with beautiful illustrations.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that this book included some short stories in addition to the longer, more well-known ones. And I love the illustrations!

[james · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up with these story's and watching films over the years based on these it's always nice to go back to where it all started with really nice pictures as well a really good read

[Donna Mcaleese]

It was the beautifully exotic and colourful illustrations on the cover of this book that caught my eye within the library, flicking through the pages I found that the language, the names and accompanying pictures give it an authentic feel. Tales of sultans and adventures within foreign lands such as India, Arabia and Persia, come alive as a mix between legend and fairy tale.

(Perhaps a definition/ comparison between myth, tales and legends would be a good starting point for discussions after story time). Appropriate for 9 years and up as it is quite advanced in terms of context. The book includes timeless classics such as Aladdin, The Fisherman and Jinna, Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves. Overall the book would be a good to make comparisions with more widely known western fairytales as well as making cross curricular connections with cultures, history and geography.

[Tj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherazade married the King. To keep him from killing her, she told him a new story every night. Some are well known like "Aladdin" and "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves." Others I did not know. In "the Ass," a robber pretends to be a donkey and fools a fool. The pictures are well done. It is interesting to read these old stories.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed some of the stories a bit, but others were much too misogynistic and pro-religion/Muslim for me to get over. I also hated king Shahryar every time he spoke for beheading all those poor women.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The colors!

[Badri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps this version was targeting kids. Most stories are so unsatisfying. The illustrations are also too childish -what a waste of color!