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Reviews
Will's Words: How William Shakespeare Changed the Way You Talk by John Shelley, Jane Sutcliffe
fernandie's review against another edition
3.0
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
joshrskinner's review against another edition
4.0
I do not think there is anything to dislike about this book. It is interesting and informative. It is beautifully illustrated. This book will be a welcome addition to any library (public or personal) and I will be working it into our Shakespeare curriculum this coming year. Great for kids, but adults will enjoy it as well. I look forward to seeing my kids interact with it for a long time.
Great book!
I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Great book!
I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
dabieyo's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very simple read but also a really interesting one! The art-work was amazing and the final note of the author made me tear up a bit!
I kindly received this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I kindly received this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
calistareads's review against another edition
5.0
This book gives a fun little history of the London plays and what life was like back then. It is also telling us phrases that Will either gave us or immortalized. "Wild-Goose Chase" "Too much of a good thing" These all came from Shakespeare.
The art is lovely and gives the feeling of excitement and crowds. There are so many people in this book.
It's a nice introduction into Will and the world of plays. My niece did enjoy it.
The art is lovely and gives the feeling of excitement and crowds. There are so many people in this book.
It's a nice introduction into Will and the world of plays. My niece did enjoy it.
alyssaarch's review against another edition
5.0
Will’s Words is a cute picture book that delves into the history of theater in England, especially looking at how plays were put on when William Shakespeare was writing. On the side, the author takes out some of the phrases and words used in the historical narrative to give more detail about how Shakespeare used them, and in what plays. The particular words and phrases she highlights are ones that either Shakespeare invented or made popular.
I absolutely loved this book. The illustrations are bright and friendly, and it gives an incredibly accurate and interesting narrative about theater and England while still being approachable for new and young readers. I even think that this could be used in a lesson about theater in England, or as a book for students to peruse once they start learning about Shakespeare and his works. I especially love the add-ons in the back that include a timeline of Shakespeare’s life and a bibliography.
Definitely get this for the language-loving kid in your life — it’s a wonderful non-fiction picture book that I will certainly be gifting to baby cousins and nieces and nephews this Christmas.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
I absolutely loved this book. The illustrations are bright and friendly, and it gives an incredibly accurate and interesting narrative about theater and England while still being approachable for new and young readers. I even think that this could be used in a lesson about theater in England, or as a book for students to peruse once they start learning about Shakespeare and his works. I especially love the add-ons in the back that include a timeline of Shakespeare’s life and a bibliography.
Definitely get this for the language-loving kid in your life — it’s a wonderful non-fiction picture book that I will certainly be gifting to baby cousins and nieces and nephews this Christmas.
Also posted on Purple People Readers.
mmattmiller's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely a cool book. I think the typical kid might not enjoy this one so much, but kids (upper elementary, middle, even high school) who are into theater, or into words would definitely enjoy this one. It's a bit of theater history as well as the words from his plays we continue to use today. I enjoyed it.
jillyd's review
4.0
A wonderful way to introduce children to Shakespeare and teach them how many of the words and phrases we use today can be attributed back to The Bard. The illustrations were well done also. I'd recommend this one to readers of all ages.
tashrow's review
5.0
Though she set out to write a book about the Globe Theatre and Shakespeare himself, the author was quickly caught up in all of the ways that Shakespeare has impacted our modern language and wrote the book about the instead. The result is a book that is immensely engaging and great fun to read. It is still in so many ways a book about the bard, his work and his theater, but it is also a vibrant and fascinating book about language and how modern colloquialisms hearken back to Shakespeare himself.
Sutcliffe clearly tells the story of Shakespeare and his theater on one part of the page and then in a side note shown on a scroll on the other page she pulls words directly from her explanation and shows exactly how they connect with Shakespeare and his writing. So many of the words are surprising words like “fashionable” and “hurry.” Other phrases have interesting connections like “dead as a doornail” or “green-eyed monster.”
Shelley’s illustrations are playful and vibrant, showing the bustling London streets and the crowded theater jammed with people. Some pages show the Globe Theatre from above while another shows how the stage appeared from the audience on the floor of the theater. Care has been taken with each face even in the crowd, each person reacting in their own way to what is happening in the scene.
This book should generate lots of “excitement” and “amazement” allowing people to read about Shakespeare to their “heart’s content.” Appropriate for ages 8-12.
Sutcliffe clearly tells the story of Shakespeare and his theater on one part of the page and then in a side note shown on a scroll on the other page she pulls words directly from her explanation and shows exactly how they connect with Shakespeare and his writing. So many of the words are surprising words like “fashionable” and “hurry.” Other phrases have interesting connections like “dead as a doornail” or “green-eyed monster.”
Shelley’s illustrations are playful and vibrant, showing the bustling London streets and the crowded theater jammed with people. Some pages show the Globe Theatre from above while another shows how the stage appeared from the audience on the floor of the theater. Care has been taken with each face even in the crowd, each person reacting in their own way to what is happening in the scene.
This book should generate lots of “excitement” and “amazement” allowing people to read about Shakespeare to their “heart’s content.” Appropriate for ages 8-12.
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