Michael Morpurgo’s Tales from Shakespeare

October 2023

ISBN: 9780008352226
ISBN 10: 0008352224
Imprint: HarperCollins GB
RRP: $29.99

Featuring:

Macbeth, illustrated by Dapo Adeola
The Taming of the Shrew, illustrated by Joelle Avelino
Romeo and Juliet, illustrated by Peter Bailey
The Tempest, illustrated by Barroux
Twelfth Night, illustrated by Ian Beck
Henry V, illustrated by Christian Birmingham
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, illustrated by Alona Millgram
Hamlet, illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole
King Lear, illustrated by Michael Foreman
The Winter’s Tale, illustrated by Sam Usher

It is no secret that I love Michael Morpurgo’s work. I would likely very happily read his shopping list, as I’m sure he could make it wonderful *grin*. I’ve been meandering my way through this glorious book at leisure, revelling in both the text and the illustrations – not to mention the extraordinarily gorgeous binding (trust me, you won’t want to stop stroking it!).

Before I quit the last heinous school, I had to teach Romeo & Juliet to Year 9s in less than six weeks. This was their first experience of Shakespeare, and they were not a very literate group so it was always going to be a struggle, even without the time constraints. I think I can safely say, with all modesty, that I made it engaging and meaningful for them, with a depth that was not easy to achieve in that time frame (no thanks to the English dept).

How much easier for our older students to grasp the brilliance of Shakespeare’s genius if they were to actually already have some familiarity with the stories he told, before they hit high school?

Children in the UK once had the perfect introduction with Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare but I have had no experience of such explicit exposure to retellings in Australia primary schools. And yet we expect our secondary students to grasp the wit, humour, drama, subtleties and sheer beauty of the originals in a dozen or so lessons.

So here’s what I think. Do your primary kiddos a big favour and share this wonderful book with them. I don’t mean in one long parade, but slide a story in between your other serial reads, and talk about characters, settings, history and language.

Who better to retell the world’s greatest storyteller’s work, than someone like MM who is an acknowledged and revered master wordsmith himself? The introduction from Benedict Cumberbatch is also wonderful, and he makes some very valid points along these same lines. MM himself says ‘Tell a cracking story, tell it well, and children will love to listen. So, I thought, tell the tales of Shakespeare your way, with pace and with passion.’

We know this is true. I’ve seen other retellings, including some (IMO) quite horrid graphix but this is just a joy from start to finish. Publisher’s suggested age is 7 up. I would suggest it would need to be a pretty sophisticated and able 7 year old (yes, they do exist) but personally I think kiddos from around 10 upwards to lower secondary would be best suited to it. It’s a wonderful edition for any collection and would definitely make a coveted gift to any avid reader. It may well end up staying on my shelf.

Highly recommended for middle primary upwards.

Do yourself a favour and watch this!! (from the Isle of Wight Literary Festival)

Now, while we’re on the topic – do enjoy some of my favourite Shakespeare shares, and don’t forget to drop into the Royal Shakespeare Company.