If favor now should greet my story, Allah must receive the glory. The beloved Calif of Bagdad and his trusted vizier are tricked into buying a magic snuffbox from an evil sorcerer that changes them into storks. But with the help of an enchanted princess, the Calif defeats his power-hungry brother and returns in triumph to his great and glorious city. This lyrically retold, spellbinding tale of the Middle East comes brilliantly to life in lavish, intricate watercolor paintings that mirror the richly detailed tapestries of the Middle East.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
When the Calif (the ruler of Baghdad) and his Vizier buy a snuffbox from a peddler in the bazaar, they discover an enticing message inside: "A sniff of snuff, for wings to soar./ Casalavair for hands once more." Curious, the men partake and become storks?but the magic word fails to restore them to their human forms. Forced to live on snails and slugs, worms and grubs, etc., the storks eventually happen upon the peddler, actually a sorcerer employed by the Calif's brother Omar, who has assumed the throne. Before this folktale finishes, Calif and Vizier are restored (and the Calif finds a princess bride), Omar is punished and harmony reigns. Well-paced and judiciously seasoned with Middle Eastern flavor, the story is both accessible and exotic. Dianov, a Russian watercolorist making his American publishing debut, adds striking, ornate depictions; their only shortcoming is the lack of differentiation between characters. Even so, the overall effect is splendid. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6?An original 19th-century German creation with an "Ali Baba" air, this fairy tale has been assimilated into Muslim culture and deserves an audience here. It is the story of a good Calif and his Vizier, in ancient Bagdad, tricked by a wicked magician. While they are trapped in the shape of storks, the Calif's brother seizes his throne. They have the good fortune to meet with a weeping bird?an enchanted princess?who tells them where to find the evil sorcerer. They overhear the secret of their disenchantment, free themselves and the princess (who will marry the Calif), and regain the throne. (A long endonote relates the history of the tale and of Bagdad.) The Muscovite illustrator aims for an appropriately 19th-century look of "oriental splendor." Minute details of clothing, architecture, decoration, and nature embellish scenes bordered by golden curliques, flourishes, and the odd gem. Faces faithfully reflect character: at least, the evil ones (the Calif is a bit bland, and the princess shows no hint of the "dancing eyes" attributed to her). Good triumphs, though without any deep moral message, but perhaps this gorgeous panoply will balance the demonizing of Bagdad in current events.?Patricia (Dooley) Lothrop Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
RICH ILLUSTRATIONS OF LONG AGO BAGHDAD,
This review is from: The Enchanted Storks: A Tale of Bagdad (Hardcover)
An adaptation of a Middle Eastern folk legend, The Enchanted Storks relates the story of a wicked vizier who dupes the Calif into buying snuff boxes that turn the Calif and others into storks.Who or what will it take to release them from this spell? A great joy to be found in this book is in the illustrations, intricately rich they bespeak a Baghdad of long ago.
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