Happy Birthday Shakespeare! Introducing the Bard to Young Readers.

Well, it's been a while since this blog reviewed Shakespeare's works and books about the bard.  Eight years as a matter of fact.  It seems that the Ol Bard has been on the brain again.  The question of Shakespeare's appropriateness for certain age groups keeps popping up.  To quote the brilliant and wise playwright, from one of his play All's Well that Ends Well,  "I will be a fool in question, hoping to be the wiser by your answer.”      In other words,  enlighten me!   And so this blog shall attempt to do just that dear audience!

First and foremost,  whenever I begin expounding on the greatness of Shakespeare's wit with young readers, I always begin with something that is familiar and relatable to them.  For example,  Shakespeare has been known to coin a few phrases that we either use ourselves or have heard once or twice in a lifetime.    Let's begin with the phrase that everyone has used when telling a joke. "Knock Knock!  Who's There?  This line was first used in Macbeth.     Have you ever heard someone say,  "kill them with kindness"?    Shakespeare was the first to come up with that one too in Taming of the Shrew.   Another one of Shakespeare's one-liner that everyone is sure to have heard is "Laughing Stock"  which was first penned in The Merry Wives of Windsor.    By beginning with a couple of these phrases, it relieves the Children's fears of not being able to comprehend Shakespeare.   Unfortunately,  many high schools dread reading the Sonnets and plays because they can't relate to Old English Speech.  Rubbish!  It is sad to admit, it may be the adults' fault for that attitude.  No memories come to mind from Elementary or high school of students cheering because the reading assignment included Romeo and Juliet. Oh, joy --- not!  Whoops!  Wait there was once one ten-year-old asking for Shakespeare at the reference desk, but she was by far the exception to the rule.


On a recent homeschool library program visit,  Rosie Dickin's book World of Shakespeare Reference Book (A Usborne publication)  came in quite handy. In this book of 32 color pages, the author points out quick facts relating to Shakespeare's life,  the Globe Theater, the actors,  the Royalty, and timelines.   It's a quick read and it is absolutely necessary to consult when preparing a library program for youngsters.  To be brutally honest, it can also be used for adult programs too!   Having said that,  the little nugget sized information is perfect for sharing.  Some trivia to share,  Which  Monarch did Shakespeare write Macbeth for? If you thought of the Scottish King James I, you would be correct.  The three witches in Macbeth were created as part of the cast of characters because King James had an interest in witches.  

Another personal favorite that has made it's way to a beloved spot on the bookshelf is Where's Will? Illustrator Tilly and author Anna Claybourne cleverly used the idea of Where's Waldo to help children understand Shakespeare's plays.   While Tilly illustrates a selected scene from a Shakespeare play, Ms. Claybourne writes about the plays and characters in clear, one-page synopsis. Added bonus, is looking for William in each of the illustrations.  In a group setting,  a projector is used to illuminate the illustrations on the screen and the children have fun trying to find William together.  Laser pointers come in handy as well if the find and seek gets too difficult.  Children have fun following the red dot.

Graphic novels are okay, but as a student of English Literature, it seems to be a bit of a downer to give to students. Or to put it plainly,  a rip-off.  Give the students the real thing first.  Allow them to experience the language, the imagery and the art of Shakespeare first hand before going straight to watering it down to make it understandable.  By doing this,  it cultivates an appreciation for history, literature, and language.    In my heart of hearts, (a famous line from Hamlet), I know that Shakespeare can become a building block to lifelong reading and literature appreciation if given half the chance.  If wanting to introduce Shakespeare to middle schoolers, ten years and up, let's say, forget the graphic novels.  Go right to fiction books which introduces the works of the Bard but in a modern-day setting.  Like Gary D. Schmidt's The Wednesday Wars which tells the tale of a bright kid who has to read Shakespeare for an English Class.  it is relatable and cleverly mixes in learning about the works of the Bard without being overly obnoxious about it.   This is an idea for another time and blog post.  

As this post ends,  let's leave with this one beautiful goodbye from the Bard,  "Farewell, my sister,  fare thee well!  The elements be kind to thee and make thy spirits all of comforts:  Fare thee well!  Farewell readers!  To honor the Bard on his birthday, read one of his Sonnets.   As for Romeo, (the official canine for Mrs. Nowc Librarian At Large),   a long walk with his favorite blogger/reader and Shakespeare enthusiast, Romeo and Juliet's famous balcony scene read aloud,  should be the right mix for a quiet, sensible celebration.