A Shakespeare Story: Hamlet

Description

This series gives young readers the chance to discover Shakespeare for themselves. The stories come originally from the highly successful gift collection The Orchard Book of Shakespeare Stories. Also included are useful notes on the themes within the stories and a background to the Globe theatre. Andrew Matthews's vibrant and accessible retellings, coupled with expressive and funny illustrations by Tony Ross, provide an introduction to this important part of our cultural heritage in the most enjoyable way. Perfect for school use as the National Curriculum specifies that two Shakespeare stories are studied as part of English Literary Heritage KS3 and 4. Also optional at KS2. The notes highlighting themes in the specific stories will help to focus discussions.

Andrew Matthews has written numerous books for children and teenagers, and is an internationally renowned author. He wrote King Arthur and Wolf Summer for the Orchard list, as well as a series of retellings of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. Andrew has been short-listed twice for the Smarties Award. He lives in Berkshire. Tony Ross is one of the most highly regarded children's book creators/illustrators in Britain. For Orchard he illustrated the Greek and Roman Myths books in the Orchard Myths range, and the hilarious One and Only series by Laurence Anholt, as well as the poetry collection Balloon Lagoon. Tony lives in Wales.

Short, brisk, highly readable retellings which make good sense as stories in their own right. As such, they will readily persuade the junior school age-group that Shakespeare himself has lively stories to tell. These little books can be warmly recommended as a first introduction to Shakespeare. -- Books for Keeps 20040201