For the child who loves tales of adventure and outsmarting villains, this early reader adaptation of a classic Middle Eastern folktale delivers thrilling twists.
Reach for this book when your child is ready for an adventure with higher stakes and a truly clever hero. This classic folktale, retold for early readers, follows Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter who discovers the magical cave of forty fearsome thieves. When his greedy brother meets a grim fate, Ali Baba must rely on the wits of his servant, Morgiana, to survive. The story explores themes of good versus evil, bravery in the face of fear, and the idea that cleverness can overcome brute force. Its clear narrative and exciting plot make it a great choice for newly independent readers who crave thrilling stories.
Thieves hunt the main character and hide in jars in his house, which can be tense for some readers.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with death and violence, though in a manner typical of classic folktales. Cassim is killed by the thieves, and Morgiana kills the remaining 37 thieves by pouring boiling oil into their jars. This is a direct, secular depiction of violence as a means of self-preservation and justice. The resolution is hopeful for the protagonists, who are rewarded for their virtue and cleverness.
Ideal Reader
This book is for a 6 to 8-year-old who has a strong stomach for adventure stories with real consequences. They are likely a reader who enjoys clear good vs. evil narratives, puzzles, and seeing clever plans succeed against powerful villains. They are not easily frightened by the idea of 'baddies' and will cheer for Morgiana's ruthless efficiency.
Parent Prep
Parents should absolutely preview the book, specifically the discovery of Cassim's body and the climax where Morgiana kills the thieves in the jars. This is not a book to be read cold to a sensitive child. A parent should be prepared to discuss why the characters took such drastic actions and frame it within the context of a folktale where justice is often swift and stark. A conversation about cleverness versus greed is also very fruitful. A parent might reach for this after their child shows interest in stories with more complex plots than a simple picture book provides. The child might be asking questions about fairness, or what happens to 'bad guys' in stories, indicating a readiness for tales with more definitive, even harsh, justice.
Age Experience
A younger child (5-6) will focus on the magic phrase, the treasure, and the clear distinction between the good Ali Baba and the bad thieves. They might be scared by the deaths. An older child (7-8) will better appreciate the nuances of the plot, the contrast between Ali Baba's caution and Cassim's greed, and will likely identify Morgiana as the true, brilliant hero of the story.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fairy tales centered on royalty or magic, the ultimate hero here is Morgiana, an enslaved girl whose intelligence and bravery save the day. This provides a powerful example of a female protagonist who succeeds through her own wits, not through marriage or magic. The Usborne early reader format makes this fairly dark and complex story accessible to young, developing readers without losing the core suspense of the original.
Read plot summary
A poor woodcutter, Ali Baba, discovers a thieves' treasure cave accessible by the magic words "Open, Sesame." He takes a modest amount of gold. His wealthy, greedy brother, Cassim, forces the secret from him, goes to the cave, but forgets the magic words and is trapped. The thieves find and kill him. When they realize someone else knows their secret, they hunt for Ali Baba. The true hero is Morgiana, Ali Baba's enslaved servant, who repeatedly thwarts the thieves' plots through her sharp intelligence. In the climax, she discovers the thieves hiding in oil jars and kills them. Ali Baba, in gratitude, grants her freedom and she marries his son.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Morgiana was the cleverest person in the story. Which of her smart plans to save Ali Baba did you think was the best, and why?
2
Why do you think the greedy brother, Cassim, got trapped in the cave, but Ali Baba did not?
3
Ali Baba took treasure from the thieves' cave. Since the thieves stole it first, do you think it was okay for Ali Baba to take it?
4
The story has a happy ending for Ali Baba, but scary things happened. Do you think this is a happy story or a scary story? Can it be both?
