Who Was William Shakespeare? Book

The beloved plays of Shakespeare are still produced everywhere, yet the life of the world's most famous playwright remains largely a mystery. Young Will left the town of Stratford to pursue theater in London, where his work eventually thrived and made him a famous and wealthy man. With black-and-white illustrations that include a diagram of the famous Globe theater, Celeste Davidson Mannis puts together the pieces of Shakespeare's life and work for young readers.

Children's Literature

Hundreds of years have passed since William Shakespeare's time. While a great deal of the literature he created remains, a great deal of mystery remains about the man and his life. The goal of this slender text is ambitious: Celeste Davidson Mannis aims to paint a picture of the Bard's life and work that is complete, easy-to-understand, and appropriate for young, elementary school readers. She succeeds beautifully. Controversial topics, such as the mysterious "Dark Lady" mentioned in several of Shakespeare's poems or the choice to put on Richard II at the time of a planned political coup in England, are briefly discussed but not sensationalized or belabored. Although John O'Brien's simple pen-and-ink drawings do not provide a wealth of historical detail, they do add a strong visual interest to this work. This book is an engaging introduction to a subject that students will certainly encounter many times throughout their education—and their lives.