Leon Garfield's Shakespeare Stories (New York Review Books Children's Collection)

How to introduce children to Shakespeare, not just to the stories behind the plays but to the richness of Shakespeare's language and the depth of his characters: That's the challenge that Leon Garfield, no slouch as a wordsmith himself, sets out to meet in his monumental and utterly absorbing Shakespeare Stories . Here twenty-one of the Bard's plays are refashioned into stories that are true to the wit, the humor, the wisdom, the sublime heights, the terrifying depths, and above all the poetry of their great originals. Throughout, Garfield skillfully weaves in Shakespeare's own words, accustoming young readers to language and lines that might at first seem forbiddingly unfamiliar. Leon Garfield's Shakespeare Stories is an essential distillation--a truly Shakespearean tribute to Shakespeare's genius and a delight for children and parents alike. Introduce kids ages 10+ to 21 of Shakespeare’s most memorable plays—including Hamlet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night , and A Midsummer Night’s Dream “ . . . will lay the groundwork for many a future enchanted evening at the theater.” — Wall Street Journal How to introduce children to Shakespeare, not just to the stories behind the plays but to the richness of Shakespeare’s language and the depth of his characters: That’s the challenge that Leon Garfield, no slouch as a wordsmith himself, sets out to meet in his monumental and utterly absorbing Shakespeare Stories . Here, 21 of the Bard’s plays are refashioned into stories that are true to the wit, the humor, the wisdom, the sublime heights, the terrifying depths, and above all the poetry of their great originals. Included: • Twelfth Night • King Lear • The Tempest • The Merchant of Venice • The Taming of the Shrew • King Richard the Second • King Henry IV, Part One • Hamlet • Romeo and Juliet • Othello • A Midsummer Night’s Dream • Macbeth • Much Ado About Nothing • Julius Caesar • Antony and Cleopatra • Measure for Measure • As You Like It • Cymbeline • King Richard the Third • The Comedy of Errors • The Winter’s Tale Throughout, Garfield skillfully weaves in Shakespeare’s own words, accustoming young readers to language and lines that might at first seem forbiddingly unfamiliar. Leon Garfield’s Shakespeare Stories is an essential distillation—a truly Shakespearean tribute to Shakespeare’s genius and a delight for children and parents alike. "How to introduce kids to Shakespeare--not just to the stories behind the plays but to the richness of his language and the depth of his characters. That's the challenge that Leon Garfield, a wonderful children's book writer, undertook to meet in his monumental and delightful Shakespeare Stories. Here are twenty-one of the Bard's plays, presented in what is not a series of dry retellings, but rather a refashioning of the dramas as stories, in a way that remains true to the essential spirit of the original versions. Garfield has captured all the richness of character, plot, mood, and setting in Shakespeare's works without resorting to simplification. Indeed, he deliberately retains much of Shakespeare's language, skillfully weaving it into his own prose so that the reader is introduced to the flavor of the verse, as well as to the incidents of plot and the spectacle of the drama. Leon Garfield's Shakespeare Stories is an essential distillation--a celebration and a reminder of Shakespeare's genius as a poet and dramatist."--Publisher's information "How to introduce kids to Shakespeare--not just to the stories behind the plays but to the richness of his language and the depth of his characters. That's the challenge that Leon Garfield, a wonderful children's book writer, undertook to meet in his monumental and delightful Shakespeare Stories. Here are twenty-one of the Bard's plays, presented in what is not a series of dry retellings, but rather a refashioning of the dramas as stories, in a way that remains true to the essential spirit of the original versions. Garfield has captured all the richness of character, plot, mood, and setting in Shakespeare's works without resorting to simplification. Indeed, he deliberately retains much of Shakespeare's language, skillfully weaving it into his own prose so that the reader is introduced to the flavor of the verse, as well as to the incidents of plot and the spectacle of the drama. Leon Garfield's Shakespeare Stories is an essential distillation--a celebration and a reminder of Shakespeare's genius as a poet and dramatist"-- Provided by publisher