The Tempest [Hardcover]

Marianna Mayer (Author), Lynn Bywaters (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

In this enchanting retelling, Shakespeare's magical tale is brought brilliantly to life for young readers. When the wizard Prospero seeks revenge on his enemies, his beautiful daughter, Miranda, combines forces with the playful sprite Ariel and the handsome Prince Ferdinand to teach him the power of love and forgiveness. Through exquisitely crafted prose and luminous paintings, adventure, romance, and reconciliation unfold amidst hilarious mix-ups and magic, reminding us why The Tempest, Shakespeare's last comedy, remains one of his most popular plays.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up–Brilliant color in the gouache illustrations makes this picture-book retelling a visual treat. Each spread is comprised of a painting with the text superimposed on it in a parchment-looking insert. The characters are set on the pages as though they were onstage, inviting readers into the tale. Their costuming, with rich-seeming fabrics, would carry well in a theater. The Shakespearean story is complete, although the prose is not always graceful. The end of the tale has been slightly altered; where Shakespeare has Prospero returning to his former post as duke of Milan, Mayer has chosen to make him a grandfather teaching moral behavior to his grandchildren. The vocabulary is expressive and well chosen, but rather high on the comprehension scale.–Cris Riedel, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School, Dansville, NY
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From Booklist

Gr. 3-5, younger for reading aloud. Mayer spins the story of Prospero, his daughter, Miranda, their enchanted exile, and Prospero's working sweet revenge on those who wronged him into a fairy tale for youngsters who don't yet know Shakespeare. An occasional infelicity or cliche doesn't slow the pace. The text is set on parchment-colored inset leaves, and Bywaters' gouache paintings, alive with intense color and luscious texture, fill the space. Every flower, seashell, velvet fold, and piece of sky is shimmering with vivid life, and the characters--Prospero, Miranda, Ferdinand, and the others--have the look of the Italian Renaissance; Caliban is properly hideous and Ariel is a bold sprite. A handsome edition, sure to capture readers with its rough magic. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1st ed edition (September 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811850544
• ISBN-13: 978-0811850544
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #661,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lusciously illustrated, October 8, 2005

By 

D. L. Meyer "DLM" (Guilford, CT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tempest (Hardcover)

Lynn Bywaters' illustrations are breathtaking. They evoke the velvets and satins of the Elizabethan age and the richness of landscape is practically tactile. How could any child, young or old, not be coaxed into the beauty of the Tempest story through such tactile painting?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I'm sure I am a fool to weep for what gives my heart such joy.", November 9, 2005

By 

Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tempest (Hardcover)

The illustrations in this adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest are exquisite, a magical realism that tells the tale in simple terms: Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, and his baby daughter, Miranda, are abducted and cast upon the open sea in a boat. Thanks to a loyal friend, a bundle of provisions and books on the magic arts are secreted on the craft; Prospero is thereby able to guide the small boat to an island, where he makes a home for himself and his daughter. Twelve years later, Miranda is a young woman, Prospero determined to seek revenge on those who have wronged him. Indeed, as the perpetrators sail near the island, a terrible storm arises, crashing the vessel against the cliffs, Alonso, the King of Naples, his son and Prospero's brother, Antonio, surely doomed to a watery grave.

Miranda begs her father to summon his spells and save the ship and its occupants. To the tender-hearted girl's surprise, Prospero admits that he has caused the tempest, bringing those who have harmed them into close proximity. As Prospero takes counsel from his magic sprites, Ariel, the wind spirit, Caliban and others, all on the vessel are saved, but separated "and the ship, though safe and sound upon the beach, is made invisible". As planned, Prospero brings his daughter and Prince Ferdinand together, keeping the others at bay while Miranda and her prince fall in love. Through the intervention of his spirits, Prospero orchestrates his revenge, which ends in forgiveness of his brother and the King and the happy marriage of his daughter and Prince Ferdinand. Prospero's lands are restored and his sprites released as father and daughter return to the place of their birth.

The text is highlighted in parchment-like squares against the jewel-toned colors of Prospero's island, the deep green of the forest, the azure sky, the sapphire sea. Fairies mix with characters in this enchanted landscape, as Prospero resolves his fate and that of his daughter to everyone's advantage. Shakespeare's fascinating tale is written in a manner that appeals to young imaginations, balancing tragedy and humor, cameo illustrations sprinkled throughout the pages, a rich canvas of foibles and fancies in a world where people and fantasy coexist. This is the perfect pairing of author and illustrator, a book to delight children and adults alike. Luan Gaines/ 2005.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly tugs at your imagination!, November 16, 2005

By 

Lynn PG "book lover" (El Paso, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tempest (Hardcover)

A wonderful blend of simplicity and Shakespeare. Lynn Bywaters illustrations tug at the reader's imagination. Each page tells it's own story through its colors and glorious details. This is a beautiful book for all ages.