Parents' Guide to

The Arabian Nights

By Diana Baron-Moore, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Engaging reimagining of Middle Eastern folktales for kids.

Podcast Kids & Family Spotify , Neon Hum Media Average run time: 20 minutes
An illustration with ceramic jars over flowing with jewels on either side of a golden lamp. Above a colorful parrot flies in front of an ogee window through which a starry sky can be seen.

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What’s It About?

Part of Spotify's slate of original podcasts for kids, The Arabian Nights is based on the classic folktale collection which compiled stories from around South, Central, and Western Asia as well as North Africa. As in the original text, the podcast introduces listeners to each new and exciting story through the frame narrative of Sharhazad, a clever girl caught breaking into the the sultan Sharyar's private library, or maktaba. To prevent the sultan from banishing her and her father, Sharhazad tells Sharyar a new story every night. Writer Susan Muaddi Daraj shifts away from the frightening and grim elements of these folktales while leaning into their beauty and fantasy with rich descriptions of places and creatures that will have kids' imaginations buzzing. While each episode tells a one of Sharhazad's stories, the series is best listened to in order with its growing cast of characters and developing storyline between Sharhazad and the sultan.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This audio adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights is a fun, imaginative adventure that spins stories of generosity, fairness, and cooperation. The creators of The Arabian Nights have taken pains to make this engaging podcast both accessible and fun while honoring the rich history of these stories. It's funny, well paced, and features compelling sound design and voice acting. Kids will love the fantastical worlds of these stories full of delightful animals, bright jewels, and unexpected twists and turns.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what characters they most admire in The Arabian Nights. What positive traits do they display and why are those characteristics important to you?

  • What words did you hear that you don't know? Can we figure out what they mean using the words around them? Can we look up their meaning online?

  • Sinbad asks the sultan "what good is knowledge if you can't share it?". What do you think that means? What would you do if you had a library as big as the sultan's maktaba?

  • Themes of curiosity and courage can be found in each story. Why are these important character strengths?

  • This show is inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, an ancient collection of Middle Eastern folktales. Do some research and learn about some of these folktales. How do the stories in this podcast compare to the original stories? Can you learn more about the cultural significance of these folktales and why it's important for them to be told?

Podcast Details

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