Andrew Lang

Lang's twelve fairy books gathered stories from French, Arabian, Norse and Japanese sources and retold them for English readers. The three here — Aladdin, Ali Baba, and the journey east of the sun and west of the moon — are the ones that travelled furthest from where they started.

3 stories retold here, 10–12 minutes each — read aloud or read alone.

A small wooden trough bobs on bright blue water as a great dark whale-shape sinks beneath it and a distant ship turns toward the swimmer.

Retold classicAdventure10 min read

Sinbad and the Whale That Was an Island

Ages 8-12

A tired porter grumbles outside a rich man's door, and the rich man invites him in to hear how a sailor's luck really works: a green island that dives, and a valley full of diamonds.

Retold from Sinbad the Sailor

A boy in a dark cave holds up a small brass lamp, its light showing a narrow stone stair behind him.

Retold classicFolk tale12 min read

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

Ages 8-12

A poor boy is led to a hidden cave and finds an old lamp that changes his fortune. When a stranger steals it back, he must follow across the world to bring home what he loves.

A young woman in simple clothes stands in a moonlit courtyard, counting the oil jars lined against the wall, a small lamp in her hand.

Retold classicFolk tale11 min read

Morgiana and the Forty Thieves

Ages 8-12

Ali Baba discovers a cave of treasure and a secret word. When thieves come looking for him, it is his quick-thinking servant Morgiana who saves the whole household.

Retold from Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves