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Education
Children have had
problems with Shakespeare for generations. He may be
celebrated as our greatest poet and playwright but he can
be pretty heavy going at times. It’s all down to the
Elizabethan language, humour and classical references.
Engaging children’s interest in the Bard has always been a
challenge – but for no longer. Easy
Reading Shakespeare is a fun, easy and quite
brilliant way in for children, presenting Shakespeare’s
plays in a way that creates a hugely entertaining bridge
to the original texts. The bouncing lyrics show, often in
amusing style, just what great stories are contained
within Shakespeare’s plays. These books are a must for
children fighting to get to grips with the Bard. They will
put an end to their struggles and may well ignite a
life-long passion. They’re great for adults too!
Teachers throughout the U.K. are using
Easy Reading Shakespeare to introduce children
to Shakespeare. But even more importantly children are
reading these books for their own pleasure and thereby
obtaining a knowledge of Shakespeare’s complete canon.
Boomerang Media, during 2006 and 2007 are distributing a
series of postcards to around 1000 schools based on
Easy Reading Shakespeare.
click here
to view larger image
Some testimonials for Easy Reading
Shakespeare;
‘This book comes highly recommended by me!! It is
excellent. I am a lover of poetry in any event, but to
read Shakespeare’s plays in plain, down to earth English
poetry is bliss! Richard Cuddington has taken
Shakespeare’s plays and put them into understandable
modern verse, which would appeal to the young and adults.
The plot of each play is made clear and the characters
seem to come to life. I loved it and although I often say
to get various books I have reviewed from the library,
this would definitely be one book I would recommend to buy
and keep. It would make a good birthday/Christmas
present.’
Education Otherwise
‘As a year Six English teacher responsible for
introducing Shakespeare to children for the first time, I
have found that Richard Cuddington’s Easy Reading
Shakespeare has been an excellent, child-friendly
accompaniment to our existing Shakespeare resources.
For children of primary school age the plots and
characterisation in Shakespeare’s plays – as opposed to
the original complex language – are of paramount
importance. Cuddington’s books, written in fun, easily
accessible verse, are fantastic vehicles for a beginner’s
understanding of these two key aspects of Shakespeare’s
works.
Many children in my primary school have read and enjoyed
Richard Cuddington’s Easy Reading Shakespeare. What
greater testimony to the entertaining accessibility of
Cuddington’s writing could there be than that?’
Edward Hassall – Head of English – Highfield School,
Maidenhead
Easy Reading Shakespeare contains a great deal
of detail that allows readers to grasp the intricacies of
the plot and of key speeches as well as significant events
and comic moments. The descriptions of the characters and
the modernisation of their language also reveal important
character information and motivation.
Teachers could use extracts for class work, having
students compare them with the relevant passage in the
original text, or encourage a short performance in
comparison with a performance from the text. Reading aloud
from one of these poems would be less daunting for some
students than reading the original text. The possibilities
are endless.
This set of books will be invaluable for school libraries,
for teachers and for students of Speech and Drama. They
offer an enjoyable way into the plays of Shakespeare that
will allow them to experience the original text with more
confidence and understanding.
Speech and Drama magazine
‘A wonderful introduction to Shakespeare – my classes
love this book.’
Madeleine Moore. Director of Studies. West Hill Park
School, Titchfield
Easy Reading Shakespeare is a fabulous book.
Great for kids about to start their GCSE course.
Woman magazine
‘Profoundly encouraging for the future of Shakespeare
in schools. Accessibility is the key, and Richard has
found one.’
Adrian Hilton – Head of Faculty – Slough Grammar School
.
Holder of the Guinness World Record for reciting the
Complete Works non-stop. He has also directed for the
Royal Shakespeare Company.
‘Inspirational in making Shakespeare more accessible
and pupil friendly. Richard Cuddington’s books are a great
teaching aid.’
Mikaela Milne – Teacher of English – Brune Park
College, Gosport
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