Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare (Paperback)

~ (Author, Illustrator), Peter Vennema (Author) "IN THE YEAR 1569, A COMPANY OF TRAVELING ACTORS CAME TO THE LITTLE English town of Stratford-on-Avon..." (more)
Key Phrases: Queen Elizabeth, William Shakespeare, Earl of Southampton (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"These seasoned raconteurs...neatly piece together the puzzle of Shakespeare's life," said PW in a starred review, praising the "stunning, intricate" paintings. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-- This is a wonderful book. A fine companion biography to Good Queen Bess (Four Winds, 1990), this life of Shakespeare builds on the methods developed in Bess and Shaka, King of the Zulus (Morrow, 1988). Using the few facts known about their subject, Stanley and Vennema manage a full-bodied portrait of a life and time without resorting to fictionalizing or sloppy speculation. In fact, the book starts with an appealing invitation to examine the historical research process. And, without wasting words in pedantic explanation, it keeps readers on a firm footing regarding the scholarly basis of any assertion. In the course of a brief text, the authors manage to touch not only upon the life but also upon important aspects of many of the major plays. There is even a tantalizing postscript with introductory glimpses of the development of the English language. As with their previous works, the authors provide a short but meaty bibliography. Stanley's distinctive full-color gouache paintings are clearly her own, and just as clearly planted firmly in archival research. They reinforce and expand the text with humor and movement. As icing on the cake, the generous open space and attractive page decoration rival the production given Shaka . Books like these need only be displayed to attract readers. And once opened, they keep their promise. Lucky kids! --Sally Margolis, Deerfield Public Library, IL
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 27, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688162940
• ISBN-13: 978-0688162948
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 9.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,890 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #3 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Stanley, Diane
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent children's biography, June 1, 2000

By	"kmmdaley" (State College, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Our family has recently discovered the wonderful Peter Vennema/Diane Stanley biographies. They are vivid, engaging, and thorough, yet short enough for younger readers to sit through (my daughters are 4 and 6). Bard of Avon and Good Queen Bess are our favorites so far, and they go very well together since neither Shakespeare nor Queen Elizabeth would have been the same without the other. Unlike other histories or biographies for children, this book makes a destinction between what we know about Shakespeare's life and times and what are only guesses. It is nice for children to see that the study of history is not just memorizing facts and dates, but piecing together clues in the context of what is known about a time period. As a former high school English teacher, I wish that I had had this book when I was teaching Shakespeare plays because it would have been a wonderful introduction.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch for this Author she's a Gem!, August 23, 2003

By	Browyn Brough "excitedteacher" (vegas area, rural) - See all my reviews

This author was new to us and we will be looking for her from now on. The pictures are sooo wonderful they transport you. The information is well done and clear, yet not watered done. This is someone that REALLY understands writing books for children that adults can enjoy using as teachers or parents. I recently bought alot of books on Shakespeare, for use in the school room this year and we have found 4 authors that made the grade on this subject! This is a keeper!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diane Stanley Is The Queen Of Longer Picturebook Biographies, June 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bard Of Avon: The Story Of William Shakespeare (School & Library Binding)

Stanley is a masterful writer/illustrator when it comes to creating longer picturebook biographies (with heavier text). Her bios on da Vinci, Cleopatra and Shakespeare are fabulous. It amazes me that she has not won a Caldecott Honor yet! I can't wait to see her bio about Michelangelo!