Book excerpt: A feckless boy is lured by a wicked magician into a trap but the scheme backfires — the boy, Aladdin, is left with a magical lamp and a genie who showers him with riches. Aladdin's wealth makes him an attractive suitor for the sultan's daughter, but when the evil sorcerer returns to kidnap the bride, the young hero must rescue his princess or die trying. This classic retelling of the ever-popular Middle Eastern folktale has entranced readers for over a century. Originally published in 1914 as part of Sindbad the Sailor and Other Stories from The Arabian Nights, this beautiful version by Laurence Housman features eight full-color images by Edmund Dulac, one of the era's most famous illustrators.