Under the Greenwood Tree (Stemmer House Poetry for Young People Se) [Hardcover]

William Shakespeare (Author), Barbara Holdridge (Editor), Barbara C. Holdridge (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1986 | Series: Stemmer House Poetry for Young People Se

This collection is intended for ages 9-12. The purpose of the collection is to instil the enjoyment of the poetry for its own sake, unchanged from Shakespeare's working and without reference to play plots or sonnet sequence. It is accompanied by glorious full colour paintings.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up Here we have subliminal Shakespeare. The poetry is embedded in lavish, seductive illustrations that render it almost secondary. Each turn of the page offers a song, a snippet, a part of a speech, or a story from the play represented, and readers rarely see the whole work, the sonnets being the exception. All are surrounded by the DeWitts' lush romantic watercolors. Each painting is a lovingly detailed world of its own, in harmony with the character of the piece represented. At first jarring, the blunt, commonplace features on many of the beings, both human and magical, give them a vitality that draws readers further into their world to look again and find more. The pattern to the presentation is said to be the stages of life, but it's not really an important factor since each page or double-page spread exists on its own. As with other books in the series, this is introduced by a recognized scholar in the field (in this case, A. L. Rowse). Although only a taste of Shakespeare, this irresistible book is its own reason for being. Surely such an hors d'oeuvre will tempt a few to the whole meal. Sally T. Margolis, Town and Country Day School, Kensington, Md.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Enhanced throughout with striking illustrations from full-page art to intricate borders, visual artistry blends with the unforgettable words." -- The Sunday Independent, Ashland, Kentucky, March 1987

"My first thought is that every teacher of Shekespeare should have this. Excellent presentation. Recommended." -- Tucson Unified School District Review, October 1987

"The magnificent pictures will stamp these immmortal words on the minds of young people fortunate to own this volume." -- The Chattanooga Times, July 1987

"This irresistible book is its own reason for being." -- School Library Journal, February 1989

'Enhanced with striking illustrations from full-page art to intricate borders, the visual artistry blends with the unforgettable words." -- The Sunday Independent, Ashland, KY, March 1987

'This irresistible book is its own reason for being." -- School Library Journal, February 1988

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 79 pages
• Publisher: Stemmer House Publishers; 1st edition (October 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880450282
• ISBN-13: 978-0880450287
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,942,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 1564, and his birth is traditionally celebrated on April 23. The facts of his life, known from surviving documents, are sparse. He was one of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a merchant of some standing in his community. William probably went to the King's New School in Stratford, but he had no university education. In November 1582, at the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, eight years his senior, who was pregnant with their first child, Susanna. She was born on May 26, 1583. Twins, a boy, Hamnet ( who would die at age eleven), and a girl, Judith, were born in 1585. By 1592 Shakespeare had gone to London working as an actor and already known as a playwright. A rival dramatist, Robert Greene, referred to him as "an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers." Shakespeare became a principal shareholder and playwright of the successful acting troupe, the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later under James I, called the King's Men). In 1599 the Lord Chamberlain's Men built and occupied the Globe Theater in Southwark near the Thames River. Here many of Shakespeare's plays were performed by the most famous actors of his time, including Richard Burbage, Will Kempe, and Robert Armin. In addition to his 37 plays, Shakespeare had a hand in others, including Sir Thomas More and The Two Noble Kinsmen, and he wrote poems, including Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece. His 154 sonnets were published, probably without his authorization, in 1609. In 1611 or 1612 he gave up his lodgings in London and devoted more and more time to retirement in Stratford, though he continued writing such plays as The Tempest and Henry VII until about 1613. He died on April 23 1616, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. No collected edition of his plays was published during his life-time, but in 1623 two members of his acting company, John Heminges and Henry Condell, put together the great collection now called the First Folio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book...my children love it!, May 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Greenwood Tree (Stemmer House Poetry for Young People Se) (Hardcover)

I checked this book out of the library...hoping the beautiful pictures would captivate my 3 and 5yr old and they would then listen to Shakespeare. It WORKED!!! So I knew it was worth purchasing. The book contains only small selections from Shakespeare's work...but a great way to introduce your child to the beauty of his words. Wonderful Illustrations!!!

4.0 out of 5 stars Excerpts from Shakespeare, July 4, 2009

By 

Brett A. Pedersen "Brett Pedersen" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Under the Greenwood Tree: Shakespeare for Young People (Paperback)

A great book to introduce the kiddies to one of the greatest literary geniuses of all time. No disrespect to Homer and Dante intended.....