The Three Princes: A Tale from the Middle East

by Eric A. Kimmel, Leonard Everett Fisher (Illustrator)

In a richly illustrated tale with a Middle East setting, a beautiful and wise princess tests her three suitors by sending them into the world to bring back to her the rarest thing that they find.

Genres: Picture Books, Middle East, Childrens, Nonfiction, Folklore, History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1994

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wise and beautiful princess must choose between three princely suitors in this Arab folktale, sending them on a quest to find the most wondrous thing, and declaring that she shall marry the one who returns with the greatest treasure of all. After a year's travel, the three princes (who are also cousins) meet up and compare their finds: Prince Muhammed has found a crystal ball that can show anything in the world, Prince Fahad a magical flying carpet, and Prince Mohsen a fragrant orange that can cure any illness. Together, these extraordinary objects allow the princes to discover that the princess is sick, to travel to her side, and to cure her. But this leaves the original question: who should the princess marry...?

According to Eric A. Kimmel's author's note, the story in The Three Princes: A Tale from the Middle East is one that can be found in many countries in the region, although the variant he first heard was retold to him by students from Saudi Arabia. It is apparently a story that was included in later versions of that fabulous collection of tales known as The Arabian Nights . Leaving aside its origins, this is a story that felt very familiar to me, as the central structure - three brothers (or cousins, in this case) being sent on a quest, and then meeting up again - is one I have seen in tales from many folk traditions. I enjoyed the telling here, and appreciated the conclusion, in which the princess gives her hand, not to the one who has brought the greatest wonder - how, after all, is she to decide such a thing? - but to the one who sacrificed his wonder. The accompanying artwork from Leonard Everett Fisher, who also illustrated Kimmel's Don Quixote and the Windmills , The Hero Beowulf and The Spotted Pony: A Collection of Hanukkah Stories , was striking, but a little dark, and I struggled to make out some of the details. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to readers interested in Arab lore.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the story but I think the illustrations are ugly.
✨✨✨✨✨

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brightly colored illustrations have a curiously soft texture to them. Has small text boxes with explanations of phrases or words.

[Kathryn Lawall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fairytale book was a quick read but had good meaning behind it. Even though it was culturally diverse, as the setting was in the Middle East, it had a Universal idea that could be applied to any culture. The story was about 3 cousins that were all in love with the same princess. Two of the cousins were very rich and one was very handsome but poor. She tells them that she will choose the cousin that brings back the most valuable item they can find. In the end she is very ill and is dying. The poor cousin comes back with a healing orange and cures her. Since he gave up his only possession, she knows he truly loves her and they get married. It brings the idea that you shouldn't love a person for what they have, rather for who they are.

Having culturally diverse books in the classroom is very important to show children that other cultures exist and can be similar to their own culture, but also show our differences. This would be a great fairy for any age but I would primarily give it to 3rd or 4th graders.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A common tale of the Middle East (versions apparently exist in Persian and Arabic, found in several countries, and versions apparently appear in later editions of the Arabian Nights) - a princess must choose between 3 suitors (she prefers one, but he is poor, the other two are wealthy, but not young or handsome) and sends them on a year-long quest to bring her the most unique wonders they can find. One finds a crystal ball, one finds a flying carpet, and her favored one finds and orange that can heal the one who eats it of any illness. One the way back, the three suitors see in the crystal ball that the princess is dying, rush back using the flying carpet, and she is healed by eating the orange. Now . . . which one does she marry? Used while teaching about medieval Arab history and culture as part of a homeschooling unit.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Eric Kimmel for another interesting folktale from the world's traditions. I admire how you find these wonders that still speak to us today, present them so we can appreciate them even when we're unfamiliar with the tradition from which they arise, and find different artists to apply their special talents to suit each particular story.

This particular tale, well, I dunno. Nothing wrong with it that I can spy, and the princess's speech about her decision makes sense... but something's missing in this... I don't feel the delight, the magic, or the charm. I do still recommend it, or any other Kimmel in the 398s.

[Dani Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this!
I will never stop reading picture books!

[Art M · Rating 5 out of 5]

a ugly story

[Emily Geilman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for teaching predictions

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant story about recognizing the value of a gift. Ok art.

[Nolan Brendel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story because the princes got cool stuff from the desert.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure where this was going, but I *really* liked the princess’s logic.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Kimmel's books! The Leonard Everett Fisher illustrations were great.

[Elijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

*3,000 stars.

[Sarah Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A (4years old):

I liked the book. I liked the crystal ball, and that it shows pictures.
I think the princess made the right choice marrying Prince Mohsen.

[Sunni Berbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall theme is about sacrifice. Interesting tale. Great for having students make predictions about what will happen. Images are intriguing.

[529_Quincy Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Three Princes is a tale from the Middle East retold by Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrations were done by Leonard Everett Fisher. In the story, there is a beautiful princess who is forced to choose among three handsome suitors who she would like to marry. In order to decide she offers a challenge; she will marry whoever manages to bring her the best gift. The Three Princes scour the four corners of the earth and manage to find; a crystal ball that allows the user to see anything in the world, a flying carpet, and a piece of fruit which will heal any sickness. Upon their return they find the princes on the brink of death and must use their gifts together in order to save her. The princess decides to choose the prince who had to sacrifice his gift in order to save her (medicine prince). Everyone lives happily ever after.
This tale can be taught in many ways thematically. It can be used as a basis to teach the importance of, good sportsmanship, choices, value, and love. As a teacher I would probably use this book in conjunction with an essential question like, “What is love?” The question is timeless and has often lead to a much needed conversation in my classroom in order to help students recognize the difference between, ‘Hollywood love’ and ‘abusive love.’

[Salsabrarian]

Many seek to marry the princess, but she likes three princes the best, and one, Prince Mohsen, is who she wants to marry. But he is poor and so she gives him a chance to find riches by sending the three princes out to find rare things on their travels. She will marry the one who returns with the greatest wonder. One prince finds a crystal ball that can tell what is happening anywhere in the world, another finds a flying carpet that can transport riders in a flash, and Prince Mohsen finds an orange that can cure any illness. Through the crystal ball, the princes learn that the princess is dying of an illness. They ride to the palace on the flying carpet and there she is cured after eating the orange. She agrees to marry the prince most responsible for her recovery. An argument ensues among the doctors, courtiers, and the wazir about which prince it should be. The princess finally determines that Prince Mohsen gave up the most to save her life because he no longer has gift.

[Angela Bair]

Kimmel's story of "The Three Princes" gives a sense of mystery and wonder since the reader is given little information about the three princes’ journeys to each obtain a precious treasure. Although the conclusion is resolved, no closure is given as to how the two princes who didn’t win the princesses hand found other princesses to marry. The illustrations in the book were prepared from dark illustration boards, with overlaid chalk drawing designs, that are painted over with acrylic paints. The illustrations depict an exotic Arabian setting with shimmering bright colors. The close ups, angles, and play on light and shadow make the compositions of the illustrations spectacular.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd grade - 4th grade

This wonderfully illustrated picture book uses a classic arabic style to ad a traditional feel to this classic Middle Eastern tale. The story is an interpretation of the traditional tale told in "Arabian Nights." The author makes a note as to where and when he first heard the tale. This would probably fall into the category of easy reader. But as a fable it is a fairly interesting tale, where everyone lives happily ever-after.

Language Arts/Social Studies

Lesson Plan: Retell this folk tale in your own words with American cultural references.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Three Princes, it is the princes who are competing for the hand of a beautiful and wise princess. When all three help save the princess from death, she is able to choose the prince who sacrificed the most to save her and who, incidentally, was the prince she loved all along. It’s a charming story with captivating illustrations and a strong female character and no real villain.

[Rend · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice twist on an old idea. girls will like it.

[Janine Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Three Princes: A Tale from the Middle East
Grades 1-4 (NF) Booklegger Fall Program

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better for the over three crowd. Nice illustrations, and moral.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good fairy tale and the plot was fun. My only real issues is that the illustrations didn't keep the attention I had hoped. I'd kind of hoped the princess married all three men.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture Book, beautiful pictures, lexile 770.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about a princess that sets her 3 suitors a task to find out which is most worthy of her hand in marriage.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retelling of a tale about a princess as wise as she is beautiful who promises to marry the prince who finds the most precious treasure. Very satisfying.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A princess who was as beautiful as she was wise devised a plan to marry the prince who brings back the rarest thing found in his travels.

[Kathryn Ehlert]

I loved this book. It's great for making predictions