Product Description

A poor woodcutter discovers the hidden treasures of a band of robbers, survives great danger, and brings riches to his whole family.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1169383 in Books
• Published on: 1996-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover

From Publishers Weekly
This oft-told tale is so refreshingly illustrated that it deserves this new telling. When Ali Baba discovers a cave where thieves have stashed their plunder, he takes home a modest three bags of gold. But when his rich and greedy brother attempts a grander raid, he is murdered by the thieves?who then go after Ali Baba. The story of Ali Baba's triumph over the thieves is, as ever, a great adventure, and Kimmel (The Three Princes; I Know Not What, I Know Not Where) retells it smoothly. Hillenbrand (Wicked Jack) brings to the tale a lightheartedness that should woo readers both familiar and unfamiliar with the story. Unique, mottled backdrops plus roguish caricatures artfully take the edge off the violent goings-on (beheadings, quarterings and the like). Handsome typography and skillful placement of spot art and vignettes camouflage the length of the text. A fun, breezy take on a classic. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-Kimmel's text for what is probably the second-most recognized story from the Arabian Nights reads smoothly, with a folktale flow, and Hillenbrand's colorful watercolor and oil pastels border on a folk-art style with the people having a cartoonlike edge. The pictures accompany the story adequately enough, though not with the verve of opulent carpets and jewels. The illustrations lack the energy of the artist's work in Connie Wooldridge's Wicked Jack (Holiday, 1995). The cover best captures the flavor of the Middle Eastern setting. An author's note provides a historical explanation for the origin of Ali Baba's encounter with the 40 thieves and the word "assassin." The typeface has a jarring look on the page; the denseness of the capital letters makes them standout unevenly within the text and detracts from a natural flow of type. That aside, there's no doubt that this simplified, single-volume version of the "Open Sesame" story will find an audience.
Julie Cummins, New York Public Library
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 6^-8. Kimmel captures the flavor and excitement of The Thousand and One Nights in his retelling of the story of Ali Baba, who found a treasure that led to his greedy brother's death and, with the help of a quick-witted slave girl, gave his brother a decent burial and avenged his death. Hillenbrand's illustrations, watercolor paintings with oil pastels, minimize the gore and maximize the drama in a series of varied and well-composed scenes. His visions of the settings and characters underscore the story's Middle Eastern roots. An entertaining picture-book version of the classic story. Carolyn Phelan

Customer Reviews

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves from the Arabian Nights
The story is of a woodcutter that discovers hidden treasures of a band of robbers and brings riches to his family. The book is wonderfully illustrated with color, a very enjoyable story line and a fun read. This is a more popular Arab story that children will enjoy. This book is also available in Spanish for any teachers that may be looking for literature to include into their multicultural classroom.