LS 5623 Advanced Literature for Young Adults

Kimmel, Eric. 1992. THE TALE OF ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP. Ill. by Ju-Hong Chen. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823409384

Review:

A man claiming to be Aladdin's uncle tells him that he must come with him to retrieve a lamp from an underground cavern, giving a him a ring for protection. As Aladdin returns with the lamp, he questions why the lamp is so important, at which point the 'uncle' becomes angry and seals Aladdin in the cavern. While trapped, Aladdin rubs his hands together, releasing a djinn from the ring his 'uncle' had given him. The djinn tells Aladdin the magician's true plan and frees Aladdin. With the djinn of the ring and lamp, Aladdin returns home and proceeds to make wishes to improve his life, including becoming a prince to marry the sultan's daughter. The magician returns to town months later and figures out what happened. He gets a hold of the lamp and wishes Aladdin's palace (along with his wife) swept into the African desert. Aladdin returns and uses the ring djinn to wish himself brought to his wife. To get the lamp back, she gets the magician drunk and steals the lamp. She wishes all things put to right and leaves the magician stranded in the desert.

Interestingly, the author's note at the beginning of the book draws attention to the fact that the tale of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp is possibly not an authentic Arabic tale, since no known versions of it are known prior to a Frenchman named Galland's version. Authentic or not, it is a story that many have enjoyed for years and this retelling moves with a quick pace that is sure to keep children glued to the page. The illustrations work very well with the story, though on a few of the panels I had a hard time making out the what the illustration was depicting. The genies, or djinns, are particularly well drawn and make the story come that much more alive for the reader. 

Reviews:
School Library Journal: "A lively retelling of the traditional story."
Publisher's Weekly: "Kimmel's understated tone and traditional turns of phrase never decelerate the pace."
Booklist: "Kimmel retells the story of Aladdin with character and verve, comedy and terror, and perfect." timing.
Kirkus: "Chen is a wonderful colorist who deftly conveys shapes, textures, and expressions with streaks, swirls, and dabs of paint."

Connections:
* Ask children what they would wish for if they had a djinn.
*Other tales from Arabian Nights
Riordan, James. The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor. 9781845075316
dePaola, Tomie. The Legend of the Persian Carpet. 9780399224157
Kimmel, Eric. The Tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: A Story from the Arabian Nights. 9780823412587


Image credit: Amazon.com