FROM SARAH:

A nonfiction picture book packed with info about the man who was Shakespeare, the Globe Theatre, and many of Shakespeare's plays. An excellent resource to keep in your home library.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From Hamlet to Romeo and Juliet to A Midsummer Night′s Dream, Shakespeare′s celebrated works have touched people around the world. Aliki combines literature, history, biography, archaeology, and architecture in this richly detailed and meticulously researched introduction to Shakespeare′s world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Where's Will? Can you spot him? Look carefully, and you'll find him hiding amongst colourful scenes from some of his best-loved plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Twelfth Night. In addition to Will, there are a number of other characters for you to find from each of the ten featured plays.

Each play is summarized so that, as well as having fun, you can become a mini-expert on the world's greatest playwright and some of his finest works.

FROM SARAH:

This is an absolute favorite. It’s a bit longer than other versions, and divided into chapters, but excellent illustrations are provided along the way. Easy to follow, delicious to read aloud, contains plenty of Shakespeare’s original language, and captures (better than most retellings) the real comedy of the play. Might be out-of-print, but worth searching for! Great for ages 6+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Humorous, romantic, and thoroughly enchanting, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most delicious confections. Now, with this stunningly illustrated and accessible retelling, his gossamer tale of mixed-up love among humans and fairies will captivate today’s young readers.

FROM SARAH:
This is one of my favorite picture book retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It has everything going for it — clear and excellent storytelling, plenty of use of Shakespeare’s original language, great illustrations (though they are a bit darker in nature than the other illustrated versions on this list), and easy read-aloud-ability.

You can also check out the fantastic audio versions (BBC Radio I Folger Library).

Great for ages 4+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

A simplified prose retelling of Shakespeare's play about the strange events that take place in a forest inhabited by fairies who magically transform the romantic fate of two young couples.

FROM SARAH:

A picture book biography that is especially good for older kids. There's a lot of text here, but it's very well done and not to miss. Spread out your reading over several days so you can enjoy the whole thing! Highly recommended.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

William Shakespeare was the son of a glovemaker, a small-town boy with a grammar school education. Yet he grew up to become the greatest English-speaking playwright in the world. Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare is both his story and that of a great art rediscovered in the modern world.

FROM SARAH:

This is a fascinating book that explores how Shakespeare was influenced by a variety of folk and fairy tales in his own playwriting. Each story begins with a author's note from Patrick Ryan on the history of these tales. Due to content, I would recommend for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

Accompanied by lavish illustrations, this elegant collection of classic stories that inspired seven of Shakepeare's literary masterpieces is filled with adventure, love, destiny, and magic.

FROM SARAH:

This is easily one of the most enjoyable retellings to read aloud. I love how Garfield weaves his own strong storytelling into the dialogue which is all (or almost all!) pulled directly from Shakespeare. Heads-up for one illustration we don’t love (you’ll know which one), but it would be easy to read this aloud without sharing that small spot illustration. 

Best for kids age 12+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

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.

FROM SARAH:

Nesbit is a skilled short story writer, and her Shakespeare stories are simple, well done, and still maintain the wit and whimsy of the Bard. Easy to follow, though it does cut larger portions of the storyline than some other versions. There is good use of Shakespeare’s original language in her retelling. Recommended for ages 8+.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

William Shakespeare is arguably the most pivotal and widely read figure in the history of English literature. This comprehensive collection highlights some of the bard’s best works, adapted to be more easily read and digestible for children.

FROM SARAH:

THIS is the one I recommend most often, especially for a wide age range of kids, and is always what I start with to introduce a play to my kids. Highly recommended for your permanent collection. You can keep track of who's who with the helpful illustrations and character charts. Strong read-aloud language paired with plenty of Shakespeare’s original language in a narrative that’s simple to follow and enjoyable to read aloud-- it’s just about perfect.

If you have a wide range of ages (ages 6+ is a good starting point), choose this one!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

This collection of stories from Shakespeare's plays, with beautiful illustrations and quotations, is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare. Each story includes short details about the main characters, and famous and memorable quotations from the play.

FROM SARAH:

This book is so much fun! Much of our modern-day language comes from William Shakespeare, and Jane Sutcliffe takes us on a delightful journey to find out what those words are and where they came from.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Bard of Avon is responsible for such familiar phrases as "what's done is done" and "too much of a good thing." He even helped turn "household words" into household words. As readers will discover, "the long and the short of it" is this: Will changed the English language forever. Will's words pop up all over the place!

FROM SARAH: Set in 1880s London, this series has a Regency flavor, but with characters so relatable and genuine that you feel you could meet them in present-day. Emma herself is the kind of heroine you'd love to have as a friend, and she becomes that through her journal entries. The series is wonderfully witty, full of subtle humor, hidden details, and incredible character development. At present, there are eight-volumes in this series, with more planned from the author. The content is clean, and this could be a series enjoyed by teens as well. Half the RAR team is obsessed with these books!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

FROM SARAH:

Now that we've begun to settle in nicely to Lapis Lazuli house and St. Crispian's through Emma's Vol. 1, in Vol. 2 we begin to meet more fascinating individuals and characteristics of this unique place, all through Emma's disarming and delightful wit!

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

THE YEAR IS 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

FROM SARAH:

I love a story with a brave, unexpected hero, and The Spider Who Saved Christmas reminds us that even the smallest creatures can make the biggest difference. Truly beautiful illustrations bring this enchanting story to life, perfect for readers of all ages.

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
he Spider Who Saved Christmas spins the enchanting faith-filled tale of Nephila, a cave-dwelling spider who plays a pivotal role central to the Christmas story. This instant classic reveals the origin of Christmas tinsel and reminds us that hope can always be found even in dark places where we least expect it.