The Children's Shakespeare

by E. Nesbit, Rolf Klep (Illustrator)

As a writer, E. Nesbit understood that the stories are the least part of Shakespeare, but as a mother she also understood the need for simplicity. Envisioning this simplified introduction to works such as The Winter's Tale, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Taming of the Shrew -- eleven plays in all -- E. Nesbit set out to make them more accessible to young readers without sacrificing any essential elements. For if the stories were stripped of their wit and humor, of their emotion, the children would be no more entertained by them than by the indecipherable originals. In the end, under E. Nesbit's gifted pen, these stories emerge with all the charm and grace of the very best fairy tales. Written in thoroughly modern English and each no more than ten pages in length, the eleven plays featured in this volume afford children the opportunity to discover for themselves the magic of Shakespeare.

Genres: Classics, Historical Fiction, Plays, Childrens, Fiction

117 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2000

About the author

Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland; 15 August 1858 – 4 May 1924) was an English author and poet; she published her books for children under the name of E. Nesbit.
She wrote or collaborated on over 60 books of fiction for children, several of which have been adapted for film and television. She was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society, a socialist organisation later connected to the Labour Party.

Edith Nesbit was born in Kennington, Surrey, the daughter of agricultural chemist and schoolmaster John Collis Nesbit. The death of her father when she was four and the continuing ill health of her sister meant that Nesbit had a transitory childhood, her family moving across Europe in search of healthy climates only to return to England for financial reasons. Nesbit therefore spent her childhood attaining an education from whatever sources were available—local grammars, the occasional boarding school but mainly through reading.

At 17 her family finally settled in London and aged 19, Nesbit met Hubert Bland, a political activist and writer. They became lovers and when Nesbit found she was pregnant they became engaged, marrying in April 1880. After this scandalous (for Victorian society) beginning, the marriage would be an unconventional one. Initially, the couple lived separately—Nesbit with her family and Bland with his mother and her live-in companion Maggie Doran.

Initially, Edith Nesbit books were novels meant for adults, including The Prophet's Mantle (1885) and The Marden Mystery (1896) about the early days of the socialist movement. Written under the pen name of her third child 'Fabian Bland', these books were not successful. Nesbit generated an income for the family by lecturing around the country on socialism and through her journalism (she was editor of the Fabian Society's journal, Today).

In 1899 she had published The Adventures of the Treasure Seekers to great acclaim.

Reviews

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and appreciated Nesbit's versions of Shakespeare's classics pared down to their essentials. Very much so recommended, especially for younger kids (8 + or thereabouts) being introduced to the Bard.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so great! I've always wondered what the true story of "Romeo and Juliet" was. Finally I have something to read that I understand without all the big vocabulary, like 'misgrafed', 'vantage', and 'belike'....and so on and so forth. Finally I can read this great writer's stories without opening a dictonary once! Thank you Mr. Nesbit! Thank you very, very much!

[Amy Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate this book—the Lamb’s—because it helps give children (and adults) a handle on the story and plot of Shakespeare’s plays in a literary way. When one goes on to read the actual play, it is easier to absorb the unfamiliar language and understand. With better comprehension, it’s easier to enjoy the beauty of the language.

My co-op kids read this aloud this semester.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The classic retelling of 11 of the Bard's plays. The book is written for children, to acquaint them early on with these timeless works. The stories include famous plays like "Romeo and Juliet and "Hamlet;" as well as lesser known works like "Pericles," "The Winter's Tale," and "Cymbeline." A must have book for parents who want to start their children off on the right reading track.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this with my kids and we are all enjoying it. Great introduction to Shakespeare.

[J.cuevas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, the author actually made the stories easier to comprehend

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great to read with my kids. I was surprised at how much my 6-year-old especially enjoyed it.

[AnnaRichelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a book for teens, older adolescents or to be read to younger children, it had been on my shelf since my kids were younger. I had left it for them to read on their own but, myself, had never read it. Sorting my books, I decided it was time to pass it on but decided to read it first. I had never read Shakespeare so I appreciated it a lot. I got the summary of many of his plays that I know I wouldn't have read the full version, either in story or in play format.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to get people interested in Shakespeare. I read it with my children but I also really enjoyed it. This is out of copyright and can be found for free on Amazon.

[River · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been instrumental in our schooling. We use it before watching and reading the plays.