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Tales from Shakespeare: Henry V: Retold in Modern Day English
Henry, newly crowned King of England, has decided he deserves to be king of France too... so war against France begins. What fate awaits Henry V and his people? Follow Henry's difficult journey in this dramatic tale of battle, triumph and loss. Combining modern-day English with stunning illustrations, QEB's Tales from Shakespeare bring the Bard's popular plays to life. Lively and easy-to-read, they are sure to capture your imagination!
- GenresClassics
48 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2015
9 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Knapman
212 books31 followersTimothy Knapman has written many books for children, including Mungo and the Picture Book Pirates, Dinosaurs in the Supermarket and Eleanor's Eyebrows. He also writes plays and co-writes musicals.
Timothy Knapman is available in a range of colours, and is washable.
Timothy Knapman is available in a range of colours, and is washable.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 15, 2015
Another well-done retelling of Shakespeare from this series! As with the last one I read, this is a play I'm not familiar with so I cannot compare the adaptation to the original. This a history of King Henry V's battle with France to win the Crown of that country, It's pretty much a straight forward historical story though one I don't know the factual details of. Henry V is portrayed in a positive, heroic light, just though firm. I really enjoyed it and am fairly sure I have the basis of the plot should I study this play further, which I will surely do. Great book for introducing youngsters to Shakespeare!
I've just found out there are four titles in this series previously published which I am going to try and get a hold of; these next four plays I'm all familiar with.
I've just found out there are four titles in this series previously published which I am going to try and get a hold of; these next four plays I'm all familiar with.
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February 16, 2026A fun retelling for students to give them a framework for the story before seeing a production or reading the original text.
September 26, 2017
This is another great interpretation by Knapman.
February 17, 2023
I never have been the biggest of Shakespeare fans but when I spotted four volumes of this 'Tales from Shakespeare' series [shades of Charles Lamb!], 'Retold in modern-day English', with delightful illustrations and a very smart and easy to read typeface I thought I just had to purchase them so as to assess them in this format.
And, having started with 'Henry V' [the others will follow shortly] the decision was a good one; I can honestly say in this format I thoroughly enjoyed the Bard! The line-drawn illustrations are excellent and the typeface makes for easy reading. And the modern English slant on the work helps keep the reader's attention all the time and the 14 (or 16) point typeface also helps immensely.
The story of Henry does not change as while his father Henry IV ruled, Prince Hal mixed with 'drunkard, liars and thieves', the worst of them being Sir John Falstaff. But once he became King, his attitude changed and he 'became everything a king should be'.
His ambition was to be King of France as well as King of England and hearing of this aim, the French sent an ambassador to see Henry. He arrived, complete with a present that Henry and his court thought was an insult. So, with advice from his noblemen, Henry and the nation prepared for war.
On landing in France Henry's first port of call was on Harfleur and after a hard-fought battle, the town surrendered and Henry's forces moved on to Calais with two of Henry's cohorts from his younger days, Pistol and Bardolph, among his troops. There was trouble for Bardolph and Fluellen, one of Henry's captains, sentenced him to death. Henry was prevailed upon to pardon him but wanting to maintain discipline he did not commute the sentence.
And then it was on to the Battle of Agincourt, where, despite being heavily outnumbered, England triumphed. Ten thousand Frenchmen had been killed while England only lost a few hundred, and Henry showed his bravery.
So peace was restored, especially when Henry married Katherine, the King of France's daughter, and thus a great alliance between the two countries was formed.
There is plenty more intrigue in the play, and it is all covered well with the modern-day text having relevant quotations from the original text appropriately inserted to add some period colour to the tale ... long live the Bard!
And, having started with 'Henry V' [the others will follow shortly] the decision was a good one; I can honestly say in this format I thoroughly enjoyed the Bard! The line-drawn illustrations are excellent and the typeface makes for easy reading. And the modern English slant on the work helps keep the reader's attention all the time and the 14 (or 16) point typeface also helps immensely.
The story of Henry does not change as while his father Henry IV ruled, Prince Hal mixed with 'drunkard, liars and thieves', the worst of them being Sir John Falstaff. But once he became King, his attitude changed and he 'became everything a king should be'.
His ambition was to be King of France as well as King of England and hearing of this aim, the French sent an ambassador to see Henry. He arrived, complete with a present that Henry and his court thought was an insult. So, with advice from his noblemen, Henry and the nation prepared for war.
On landing in France Henry's first port of call was on Harfleur and after a hard-fought battle, the town surrendered and Henry's forces moved on to Calais with two of Henry's cohorts from his younger days, Pistol and Bardolph, among his troops. There was trouble for Bardolph and Fluellen, one of Henry's captains, sentenced him to death. Henry was prevailed upon to pardon him but wanting to maintain discipline he did not commute the sentence.
And then it was on to the Battle of Agincourt, where, despite being heavily outnumbered, England triumphed. Ten thousand Frenchmen had been killed while England only lost a few hundred, and Henry showed his bravery.
So peace was restored, especially when Henry married Katherine, the King of France's daughter, and thus a great alliance between the two countries was formed.
There is plenty more intrigue in the play, and it is all covered well with the modern-day text having relevant quotations from the original text appropriately inserted to add some period colour to the tale ... long live the Bard!
June 5, 2015
This is a nicely illustrated retelling of Shakespeare's Henry V written in Modern-day English. It's a perfect book for introducing this play to young readers. We read this as part of our Middle Ages history lesson about the 100 Years War.
Want to Read
June 29, 2015Note: I accessed a digital review copy through Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews