Customer Reviews

Romeo and Juliet : For Kids (Shakespeare Can Be Fun series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a homeschooling parent I was looking for a way to introduce Shakespeare to my kids (9 and 10) -- they have loved these stories -- which we read aloud and then discussed (plot, characters, themes, conflicts, setting, motivations, etc.) -- the verse is enjoyable and effectively incorporates selected passages from the original in a seamless way. My kids have also enjoyed the illustrations and writing samples (all by 2nd-3rd graders) included in each book. After we read R&J, we watched the old Zefferelli film version and my kids got much more out of it. We've also read the Evelyn Nesbit prose versions but they didn't "feel" like Shakespeare the way these do...I have already purchased the exisitng Burdett versions and hope she has others in mind (PLEASE do Merchant of Venice!).

As a homeschooling parent I was looking for a way to introduce Shakespeare to my kids (9 and 10) -- they have loved these stories -- which we read aloud and then discussed (plot, characters, themes, conflicts, setting, motivations, etc.) -- the verse is enjoyable and effectively incorporates selected passages from the original in a seamless way. My kids have also enjoyed the illustrations and writing samples (all by 2nd-3rd graders) included in each book. After we read R&J, we watched the old Zefferelli film version and my kids got much more out of it. We've also read the Evelyn Nesbit prose versions but they didn't "feel" like Shakespeare the way these do...I have already purchased the exisitng Burdett versions and hope she has others in mind (PLEASE do Merchant of Venice!).

I used this as an experiment to see if my 10-year-old and her 9-year-old friend could read and understand the storyline of a Shakespearean play. The verdict?? THEY DID!! I asked them to summarize the plot and they did it with total accuracy. What a cool thing!!
I loved this and you will, too!

The story is written in rhyme, so even the old english is easy on little ears. I still had to do a little interpretation (my listeners are 6 and 7 years old). The pictures and 'notes' that are drawn and written by kids their age were very engaging and helped them understand the story even without my explanations. I found them reading the book on their own many times and drawing their own versions of Juliet and the Nurse. I will definitely look into the other plays written in this format.

Great book and helped my 8 year old son greatly in getting him interested in literature. Was not able to find a book suitable for pre teens.

I bought Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth for my five year old and he really likes them. They are illustrated with drawings by children and include little interpretations by them on every page which really interests my son. He likes to know the names and ages of the kids who contributed and enjoys seeing their actual class photograph at the end of book. We read it together and the mix of Shakespearean writing with the kids writing is a good balance. I will be buying the rest of the series.

If you want to see students take on Shakespeare, then this is a great way for them to learn! We discussed the time period, language, traditions, government, etc. and then read, rehearsed, and presented the play. The students made it their own and loved the humor. They won't forget this great experience. Thanks for making it so user friendly!
KH