The Usborne Complete Shakespeare

I am quite the purist about Shakespeare’s language and have little time for those who want to replace it with ‘No fear’ versions, thinking that children can’t cope with the original. But I can certainly recommend The Usborne Complete Shakespeare: stories from all the plays (2016), with modern prose versions written by a team of writers led by Anna Milbourne, Jerome Martin and Megan Cullis. The publishers suggest it is for 8+, and I’ve road-tested it on an 8 year-old, using some of the comedies, and agree. In fact, adults unfamiliar with the stories would also find it useful as an introduction to the plots of plays with which they are not familiar.

It is a really handsome volume, being a hardback of 487 well-bound pages with quality paper, and a design that strikes a fine balance between friendliness and clarity. Most importantly, the writing is clear, unfussy and true to the spirit of each story. 37 plays are covered, mostly in substantial individual chapters, with 7 ‘Told in Brief’ at the end. At the start of each play there is a double-spread by illustrator Maria Surducan in a distinctive colour-scheme which summarises key characters (click on the images at the top). Direct quotations in calligraphic script adorn many of the pages.

At just £17.99 this is excellent value, and a fine buy for any household as a gateway to Shakespeare.