Aladdin & The Wonderful Lamp

Aladdin & The Wonderful Lamp – Carol Carrick, illustrated by Donald Carrick
Scholastic Inc.
ISBN: 0-590-41679-0

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

I discovered something about this story that I did not know – this story is actually Chinese. The author decided to set it in the Middle East in this book and that story is what I’ve always known (granted, through Disney).

Anyway, I really liked this book and it’s illustrations. The drawings are very realistic and really set the mood for what is happening on that page.

“Aladdin And The Wonderful Lamp” is a great story that touches on a good moral that you should try to help others less fortunate than you. Whenever Aladdin was faced with the prospect of riches, he always thought about others and how he could help them with the money.

The Master Swordsman & The Magic Doorway: Two Legends From Ancient China

The Master Swordsman & The Magic Doorway: Two Legends From Ancient China – Alice Provensen (also illustrated)
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0-689-83232-X

My rating; 3.5 out of 5

This book is actually two separate Chinese legends compiled into one book. One thing is certain about the stories – they do not end how you think they will. In “The Master Swordsman,” I can understand the ending and after thinking about it, it makes sense in that it teaches that there are more ways to settle a dispute than through violence. Little Chu did not use his abilities on the bandits, but on food. This caused fear among the bandits and they never attacked. I really like this moral and think it would be good for kids to know.

I do not know if I can say the same about “The Magic Doorway.” The ending was odd and I am not sure if I can think of just what the point of the story is. Perhaps it is something along the line of not double-crossing people, but I’m not sure. It’s a fun story, but I would probably leave it for leisure-time reading.

“The Master Swordsman & The Magic Doorway” is a book that might use if I were doing a China unit, but probably if I couldn’t find a few other ones first.