Macbeth For Kids

Shakespeare Can Be Fun!

by Lois Burdett

"Who is William Shakespeare?" For more than 20 years, Lois Burdett has asked that question of her elementary school students in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, leading them on a voyage of discovery that brings the Bard to life for boys and girls ages seven and up.

Macbeth for Kids, written in rhyming couplets is suitable for staging as class plays as well as reading aloud.

Genres: Shakespeare, Fiction, Childrens, Classics, Plays, School, Picture Books

64 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

Lois Burdett is an acclaimed elementary school teacher from Stratford, Ontario, internationally recognized for her innovative approach to teaching Shakespeare to young children. Through her Shakespeare Can Be Fun series and dynamic classroom methods, she has introduced serious literature to students as young as Grades 2 and 3. Her work has earned her numerous honors, including Canada's Meritorious Service Medal and awards from Encyclopedia Britannica and the Canadian Teachers' Federation. Her books and workshops continue to inspire educators worldwide.

Reviews

[Patrick Sherriff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really helpful book if you are about to put on a primary school production of Macbeth. I appreciated that Burdett stuck closely to the plot of the original and although the language was simplified (it was still a little too difficult for my English-as-a-second-language primary school kids) it kept the flavour of Shakespeare's prose by using rhyming couplets. Very helpful indeed if you want to teach Shakespeare to a younger audience.

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[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lois Burdett has done a fine job of making Shakespeare accessible for elementary aged children, without dumbing down or abridging the story. Here is Macbeth in all its horror and gore, with pivotal dialogue left intact so as to become familiar to a young audience. The story is illustrated by children's drawings of the characters and action, which adds to the kid-friendliness of the story written in rhyme.

My only complaint - a number of the illustrations show children's written summaries of various scenes which contain spelling errors. This was distracting to my daughter trying to read them, especially because spelling is a skill my wife and I actively stress as parents. I understand why these were not corrected - to maintain the authenticity of the children's work - but we eventually skipped them because they frustrated both of us. A minor complaint. This is a fantastic introduction to the Bard which will stimulate the curiosity to explore further.

[L.E. Fidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Observations by Liam (age 7.5):

On rereading for the third time: I'm like...pretty obsessed with Macbeth.

On framing the guard: That's a smart idea. Evil. And smart.

On retribution: You shouldn't kill someone because they killed someone. That's a kill for a kill. That's a bad idea.

On historical connections: This is like the Black Dinner! You know, when they like beheaded all those guys? This is like that!

Help me?

[Gail Sacharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Shakespeare Can Be Fun series. This time they tackle tragedy. It's not as funny as the comedies, but the drawings & short one-page interpretations by 2nd-6th graders are still fantastic & show that they have an amazing understanding of the story, the acts committed, the morals & ethics of this famous play. And Burdett's rhyming version of Shakespeare's tale is clever & wonderful, I really enjoy these books.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this rhyming version of Macbeth and am using it with my 9 year old. It’s not a dumbed-down version but a re-telling that piques your interest in the original.


“Life’s à trivial tale, when all is done.
Each day rattled on, one by one.
Creeping closer and closer to dusty death.”
Life had lost all meaning for Macbeth.

[Sarah Deem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this book in an hour. I found this book to be intriguing and helped me actually enjoy Macbeth myself and made me think of the play differently than I do myself. Loved the drawings throughout but some were creepy to me at times.

[Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but it didn’t inspire me to only read Shakespeare.it’s ok but live action is better and more fun

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource for our Shakespeare Summer at home.

[Rodopa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb retelling of Macbeth in verse and for kids - gripping, emotional, brooding, yet very appropriate for kids. Must read.

[Jaye Latts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. The rhyming text was an interesting way to tell the story. I’d rather read this than the original version.

[Michele R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the Bard's plays by a very poetic elementary teacher. My kids are highly entertained, and they are great previews before seeing the plays. She has books about several other plays, as well, including Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Midsummer's Nights Dreams. They all include drawings, letters, and other musings that her elementary students have composed.

[Sarah Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm using these to teach my nine-year old student Shakespeare. She loves the story (the dark, twisty stuff appeals to her), her mom loves the vocabulary, and I love that she's learning Shakespeare. Win!

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman is AMAZING! Shakespeare for kids is sensational!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a fun and simplified way to take in some Shakespeare.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macbeth For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series)
Burdett, Lois
children's drawings, reports, and letters explaining the plot retold by the author in a more modern langauge for the kids.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I loved these books by Lois Burdett when she was younger. What a wonderful introduction to Shakespeare!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

the effort Burdett has put into these books is wonderful and the use of the children's illustrations is sublime - great fun for all ages

[Sara Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great way to introduce Shakespeare to a younger generation! My students were on the edge of their seats as I read about the downward spiral of Macbeth.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids loved this!!!!

[Suburban Homeschooler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series. We will read several of these. All illustrations done by 6-11 yr olds, including writing samples. Gave me lots of fun hands-on ideas.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine; probably better for younger kids than mine though. Poems and pictures by elementary school kids accompany the abbreviated text.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straight-forward, rhyming re-telling. My kids (5-10) enjoyed listening to it.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to Macbeth. Loved that it was in rhyme. It kept the intensity of the real play and the kids didn't want me to stop reading. Using for MS history/lit class.