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A Stage Full of Shakespeare Stories: 12 Tales from the World's Most Famous Playwright
Last updated Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Author: Angela McAllister
Illustrator: Alice Lindstrom
Date of Publication: 2018
ISBN: 1786031159
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Mar. 2023
Synopsis:
Step on to a stage full of stories with this beautiful anthology of 12 stories from Shakespeare, retold to be accessible for children.
Get lost in Shakespeare's most loved stories with this anthology of some of the most popular stories in the world. Introduce children to a collection of the most important stories every written, collected and retold by the much-loved author Angela McAllister. Featuring classics such as The Tempest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Othello, each story is rewritten in a comprehensive way that is accessible for children. This anthology is illustrated by collage artist Alice Lindstrom, whose incredible artwork makes these stories dance to life.
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As the title implies this book is a retelling of 15 of William Shakespeare’s 38 plays in a style more easily understood by young children. I selected two that might be most familiar to them:
Romeo & Juliet: the star-crossed teenagers who suffer the consequences of their families’ endless and unexplained feud.
And
Hamlet: The prince is asked by his father’s ghost to avenge his murder. I chose this one because the children may be familiar with one of its many retellings in Disney’s The Lion King. (Scar, brother of the king, kills Mufasa, takes over the Pridelands and chases off Simba, the prince. Later, Simba returns to do battle with Scar and take back his kingdom.)
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is considered one of the greatest writers in the English language. You will probably study many of his plays and sonnets (poems) in high school and college. This book of 15 of his 38 plays are adapted for younger readers. He wrote in a style called “blank verse” which a type of poetry that is non-rhyming but still has a rhythm (think Rap). Many of his plays have been adapted in modern English and have been reimagined as new stories (ex., The Lion King)
Vocabulary:
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William Shakespeare: See paragraph above.
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bard: a poet, especially one who writes lyrical or storied poems.
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blank verse: a style of poetry that is non-rhyming but still has a rhythm or beat to it (think Rap)
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feud: a bitter, continuous hostility, especially between families.
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tragedy: a sad, dreadful or fatal event.
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avenge: to take vengeance (inflict injury or harm) against someone who has does something against you, usually violently.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Romeo and Juliet: You will probably study this play in 9th grade. You probably know the story – two teenagers (Romeo and Juliet) from feuding families meet, fall in love and secretly marry hoping to end the feud. Tragedy follows.
Romeo’s friend, Benvolio, drags him to a party in hopes that Romeo will stop moaning about Rosaline, a girl he supposedly loves but who ignores him. He meets and falls instantly in love with Juliet. What does this say about his personality? Is he a mature young man or is he emotional and given to changing rapidly? How does this affect him later when he tries to stop the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt but that avenges Mercutio by killing Tybalt? After the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, do you think the Montagues and Capulets will end their feud or will it make it worse?
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Hamlet: Prince Hamlet returns home, probably from being away at University, because his father has died suddenly. He discovers that his Uncle Claudius has been made king (instead of him as son of the king). Claudius has married Hamlet’s mother to secure his position.
Even without the Ghost appearing, do you think this is suspicious? How do you feel about Hamlet’s response, should he avenge his father? Will his acting crazy help or hurt his cause? Is there another way he could have dealt with this?
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Readers: If there is time for another story I would suggest either Julius Caesar (another play they will probably study in high school or Much Ado About Nothing (my personal favorite and a good one to compare to Romeo and Juliet).
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| Craft ideas: |
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Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/march-2023-music-entertainment/
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Draw pictures of the different characters in each play. You can draw them in traditional dress as they appear in the book or any other costumes such as modern day dress. Draw them as in a scene from the play (ex. Romeo meets Juliet at the party, Romeo fights Tybalt, Hamlet speaks to the ghost).
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St. Patrick’s Day Is March 17th and Easter Sunday is April 9th. Make a greeting card for someone. (Remember: Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day)
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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