When his wife insists that he become a diviner in the marketplace, in order to bring more money home, Ahmed the laborer complies with her request in this folktale from Iran. His first attempt is met with good fortune, as he accidentally discovers the location of his customer's missing ring. Unfortunately, this leads to the king demanding that he find the thief or thieves responsible for taking forty sacks of treasure from the royal treasury. Knowing that he cannot perform this task, Ahmed nevertheless asks for forty days to comply with the king's demand, and finds that fortune once again favors him, in a most unexpected way...

Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran is the second folkloric retelling that I have read from author/illustrator team Aaron Shepard and Alisher Dianov, following upon their earlier The Enchanted Storks: A Tale of Bagdad. According to the author's afterword, which also provides more background information on some of the customs and locations shown in the story, this tale was adapted from The Story of the Fortune-Teller, found in D.L.R. and E.O. Lorimer's Persian Tales. It is an enjoyable story, full of humor and good fortune, and is well-matched with the colorful artwork. Recommended to all young folk and fairy-tale lovers, and to anyone looking for traditional stories with a Persian cultural background. ( )

This is a Tale that takes place in Iran. Ahmed tries to help his family and becomes a diviner. Throughout the story we can see their journey and his new job has impacted their lives. This story is very descriptive as how things are in Iran. Children can learn about a different culture while reading this book. Children can also be taught to not give up on other, the same way that Ahmed's wife never gave up on him. Despite the length of the book, I think children would still enjoy the story since it is a different type of fairy tale than what they are used to. ( )

"Forty Fortunes" is a fun fairy tale for students, that also brings in a sense of diversity. Ahmed and Jamell, his wife, are struggling with money when he becomes a diviner and ends up in a position with the king. They end up wealthy and live happily ever after. This is a great book that tells interesting details about Iran. This gives children a great insight to life in a different country. I really like this fairy tale because it very different from the basic ones that I am familiar with. I would love to include this book in my classroom library. ( )

Jamell has a desire to earn more riches. this story combines a fairy tale in the middle eastern country of Iran. In the end, Jamell learns what is truly important. I like how beautifully illustrated this book is, and also brings one of the most popular tales of the middle east to life. It also shows that fairy tales are not universal, and that some regions have their own special stories. ( )

Ahmed's wife, Jamell, won't be satisfied until he brings home much more money from his daily work. She threatens to leave him unless he becomes a diviner in the marketplace. This favorite folktale from Iran tells the story of deception but also of good luck and coincidence. The illustrations are colorful. In the end, everyone lives happily ever after, and a little wiser, too. ( )