Customer Reviews

Will's Quill

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This children's book is a must for Shakespeare lovers. It is the story of Willoughby Waddle, a country goose who wants to see the world and travels to "Londontown." While waddling through the busy streets, he experiences a typical day in Elizabethan London. Students of Shakespeare will recongnize many of the items and activities seen by Willoughby on his awe-inspiring and sometimes fearful trip. He eventually meets another "Will," and in true "Forrest Gump" or "Shakespeare in Love" fashion profoundly affects the fate of literary history! This is an adorable book filled with historically accurate allusions, Elizabethan language, and beautiful pictures on every page.

Children's book author/illustrator Don Freeman is beloved by many for his Corduroy books, Dandelion, Manuelo the Playing Mantis, and others. His death in 1978 left a void in his chosen genre. Thus, it is with great pleasure that one finds a reprint of one of his outstanding works.

Luminously illustrated in the trademark Freeman style Will's Quill is the story of a friendship between a goose, Willoughby Waddle, and William Shakespeare. It seems that Willoughby was curious to see the bustling city of London, so he set off from his country home. However, the people, the ruckus, the stone streets were all too much for this farm bred goose.
The one person in the city who was kind to Willoughby was Shakespeare.

So, Willoughby followed Shakespeare to the Globe Theatre. Once there, Willoughby squeezes between people's legs to see a stage on which his new friend is dueling. Of course, a goose has no idea what a play is so he attempts to rescue Shakespeare. What a sight!

But, as they say, all's well that ends well, and later that night Willoughby is finally able to really help his friend.

Will's Quill is a story that deserves a place on every young reader's library shelf.

- Gail Cooke