The Tempest: A Shakespeare Story; Hamlet: A Shakespeare Story

These neat, concise retellings were first published in the collection, The Orchard Book of Shakespeare Stories, and now reappear in single volumes, liberally embellished with Tony Ross's sharp and witty illustrations. Shakespeare purists will naturally find plenty to grumble about. Hamlet, whose virtues and faults alike are trademarks of a true Renaissance prince, is very oddly assigned to the thirteenth century, and it is cheeky opportunism to reassign Miranda's 'brave new world' speech to the newly-reformed Alonso. But all the essentials of the original plots are retained, with deft avoidance of some awkward bits, and the result is short, brisk, highly readable retellings which make good sense as stories in their own right. As such, they will readily persuade the junior school age-group that Shakespeare himself has lively stories to tell. Four pages of information at the end seem designed for rather older readers, or for teachers. These little books can be warmly recommended as a first introduction to Shakespeare.