My Sister Shahrazad: Tales from the Arabian Nights

by Robert Leeson (Adapted By), Christina Balit (Illustrator)

When the king of Baghdad's wife betrays him, he trusts no woman. Each night he takes a new bride, only to execute her in the morning. Brave Shahrazad offers herself as his bride, and captures the king's heart by telling stories.

The fisherman and the Jinni --
The story of the Jester --
The lame young man and the barber --
The dream --
The ebony horse --
The woman with five suitors --
Ali Baba and the forty thieves --
The donkey --
The sleeper and the waker --
Aladdin and his wonderful lamp.

Genres: Picture Books, Magic, Fairy Tales, Childrens

84 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Born in Cheshire in 1928, Robert Leeson was a journalist for forty years, interrupted by army service in Egypt. He began to write for children in the 1960s and has had over 65 books published. In 1985 he received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for services to children's literature.
Also published as R.A. Leeson

Reviews

[Emer Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have ordered this book many times and always give it away and have to order again. I think I've bought 15 copies. It makes a brilliant gift to any kid. This is a great way to dip your toe into the classic tales from the Arabian Nights ancient classic. The writing flows and is accessible, the stories well chosen and all intriguing. Christina Balit is my favorite illustrator. I usually order anything she illustrates. I love her borders and arches and her sense of color. She also seems to illustrate legends and myths which I have a fascination with , as do my kids.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting that now I teach, I think about the appropriateness of reading books to 3rd graders and I can't just read a book. I loved this book for me. It retold the stories in an interesting way and I've long appreciated Balit's art. She amazingly illustrated mythological tales. That said, I thought this would be a younger version but it's still a little risqué.