Hamlet : For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series) [Paperback]

Lois Burdett (Author), Kenneth Branagh (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2000 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Shakespeare Can Be Fun!

Perhaps the best-known of Shakespeare's tragedies, Hamlet has all the ingredients for a gripping story: revenge and power, familial love and betrayal, dramatic sword fights, dark spooky scenes. Once again Lois Burdett has woven her own brand of magic by transforming Shakespeare's complex verse into rhyming couplets. She has created a version of Hamlet especially for children, even as young as seven, and one that readers of all ages will enjoy.

At the appropriately named Hamlet Elementary School in Stratford, Ontario, where Burdett has taught for over 20 years, her students have created wonderful drawings of Hamlet to illustrate Burdett's fluid rhymes. The students' interpretations are vivid evidence of Burdett's clever ability to bring Shakespeare's complex characters and intricate plots to life for young people.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-This seventh series entry retells the story in rhymed couplets with illustrations by the author's students, ages 7 to 12. The style is lively and interesting, and some of the phrasing is humorous: "Meanwhile, King Claudius was still uptight./The cause of Hamlet's madness had not come to light." The fact that stage directions and speakers' names are included within the verses poses some difficulty when acting out the play. A very perceptive narrator would be needed to make it all come out just right. Boxed insets of children's rewritten segments of the play as letters or diary entries offer interesting insights into their perception of the characters. Since the colorful drawings represent the characters in a wide variety of styles, they lack a sense of unity. Activities are presented at the end of the book to extend the experience. This is a good source of ideas for teachers who want to use Shakespeare in their elementary classrooms. Leon Garfield's Shakespeare Stories (Houghton, 1991) is still the best retelling, but school libraries could make good use of this book.
Carol Durusau, Newton County Public Library, Covington, GA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Hamlet for Kids demonstrates why Burdett's work is deserving of [the numerous awards and commendations] (Jennifer Ailles Canadian Children's Literature 20020901)

The style is lively and interesting, and some of the phrasing is humorous. (Carol Durusau School Library Journal 20000801)

A simplified but responsible version of the tragedy. Meant to be read aloud and staged by children. (Julia Bookman Atlanta Journal-Constitution 20000729)

Ideal for introducing the play (and Shakespeare) in the classroom or before the theatre. (Susan Perren Globe and Mail 20000527)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (March 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552095304
• ISBN-13: 978-1552095300
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Arts & Music > Performing Arts > Drama & Theater
  • #7 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Performing Arts > Drama & Theater

More About the Author

Lois Burdett has received many commendations for her work including Encyclopedia Britannica's National Award for Early Childhood Education, Canada's Meritorious Service Medal, the Canadian Teachers' Federation's Hilroy Fellowship and two writers' awards. Her many speaking engagements have included the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Lois Burdett has given children a gift to last a lifetime.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the magic of shakespeare, May 3, 2001

By 

"jsoares" (Yonkers, N.Y. ,United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hamlet : For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series) (Paperback)

I teach third grade in an urban school in a very large district and have used Burdett's version of Hamlet as my sole reading program component for the last 2 months. My students have showed more growth in comprehension, vocabulary, writitng skills and public speaking, than I have ever seen with any other class. Not only has their work showed such growth, but their passion for reading has flourished unbelievably. My class ranges from d's to average b's to high honor roll and every child has grown and every child now loves Shakespeare. The wording that Burdett uses is enjoyable and comprehendable yet challenging enough to keep the educational bar raised without compromising the accuracy and intent of Shakespeare's original version. Burdett also incorporates written material and illustrations by students in her second grade class. This helps the children in my class relate to the book even more. They have developed a thirst for Shakespeare that I enjoy trying to quench everyday. Every child is quoting Shakespeare and reciting soliloquys, and I credit much of that to Burdett and her brilliant writing. I loved this book so much that I have personally purchased her entire series and have displayed them all in my classroom. These books are checked out by students in my class everday. They are by far the most frequently read books in my class. She has truly brought Shakespeare back to life in the classroom and on behalf of my students and myself as well, I thank her. Classic literature is back!!!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hamlet: It's Not Just For Grown-Ups Anymore, August 14, 2006

By 

A. Rassler (Concord, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hamlet : For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series) (Paperback)

This was the perfect text to get my 10-year old reading Shakespeare! She's a bright girl, but I thought the "real" text of Hamlet might be a bit burdensome, so when I saw this book, I bought it right away. She loved it! Not only did she understand it, she liked reading it.

Yay, Lois Burdett!!!!! Applause! (can you hear it??)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Within minutes I knew I wanted the whole series, April 28, 2009

By 

Angela Ross (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hamlet : For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series) (Paperback)

Teaching Shakespeare to children has been a challenge until I found this series. Hamlet for Kids was the first book I read and I found it completely entertaining. As a home educator, I also found these works very inspiring. Burdett has found a way to use Shakespeare to help elementary school students in their reading comprehension and writing skills. The text is written in couplets, and contains the more famous lines from Shakespeare. The writings and illustrations by 3rd and 4th graders are entertaining and helpful. I wrote the author to get permission to do a stage performance of her work and received a prompt, personal reply with many helpful suggestions. This author is amazing and truly dedicated to helping children. My children love to read these books. This series is one of my top five favorite picks for an educational resource.