The play is focused around Lear, the aging King of Britain, and his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. When Lear wants to step down from the throne, he decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters and asks each daughter how much she loves him. Goneril and Regan, greedy for their share, give him flattering answers, while Cordelia remains silent, which enrages Lear and forces him to disown her. The play tells of Lear s fate once he has given up his kingdom and destroyed his relationship with his daughters.

This short narrative version of the play has been suitably adapted to help introduce the play to young readers.
It can be read by children or read to them by parents who wish to introduce them to the play. It can also be used by teachersas a classroom
resource.
The easy-to-read narration and comic-style illustrations are sure to captivate children s interest and develop their reading skills

One of Shakespeare’s most robust comedies, The Taming of the Shrew, is about Katherine, the ill-tempered daughter of a wealthy merchant in Padua. Katherine is so petulant that her father always believed no man would ever want her as his wife. However, Petruchio, a rich and arrogant young man, comes into Katherine’s life and together they begin to realise the error of their ways.

Cymbeline, King of Britain is one of the best-known works of William Shakespeare. It is a romantic play interwoven with war and tragedy. It revolves around Cymbeline and his daughter, Imogen. Imogen does not abide by her father s wishes, and marries a lowborn gentleman, Posthumous. After their marriage, Posthumous is banished from Britain and Imogen is held as a prisoner in the palace. As the play unfolds, the evil plots of the queen, Imogen s stepmother, the jealousy of Posthumous and the loyalty of Imogen come to light. This short narrative version of the play has been suitably adapted to help introduce the play to young readers. It can be read by children or read to them by parents who wish to introduce them to the play. It can also be used by teachers as a classroom resource. The easy-to-read narration and comic-style illustrations are sure to captivate children s interest and develop their reading skills.

Hailed as one of the greatest romantic tragedies ever written, William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet is the tragic love story of the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Set in the city of Verona, Italy, the play revolves around the feud between two affluent families, the Montagues and the Capulets.

Despite the enmity, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall passionately in love and wed in secret. However, the curse of enmity overpowers and everything goes terribly wrong

Shakespeare s Timon of Athens is the tale of a rich Athenian who lived a lavish life, spending his wealth on his friends. Eventually, when his wealth ceases and he asks his friends for help, Timon is shocked to find that none of them are prepared to do so. This fills him with hatred for humanity, and he goes on to live the life of a hermit.

This short narrative version of the play has been suitably adapted to help introduce the play to young readers. It can be read by children or read to them by parents who wish to introduce them to the play. It can also be used by teachers as a classroom resource.

A Midsummer Night s Dream is one of the most popular comedies of the legendary playwright, William Shakespeare. The play revolves around Hermia and her best friend, Helena. Hermia runs away into the woods with her lover, Lysander, and Demetrius, the man of her father s choice, follows them. Helena follows Demetrius, as she is in love with him and wishes she could win his love. In the woods, they come across Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of the Fairies. Much confusion is created when Puck, one of the fairies, uses love drops on Lysander and Demetrius, which makes both of them fall in love with Helena. This short narrative version of the play has been suitably adapted to help introduce the play to young readers. It can be read by children or read to them by parents who wish to introduce them to the play. It can also be used by teachers as a classroom resource.

Jenny Oldfield’s As You Like It is a fresh, youthful retelling of Shakespeare’s comedy. When half of the royal court end up abandoning their luxury lifestyles for the back-to-basics life of the forest no one really knows who they are anymore – let alone who anyone else is! In the midst of all this, the young people are trying to find love and everyone is looking for an end to the feuding.

Robert Swindell’s Henry V is a gripping retelling of Shakespeare’s famous historical play. Battles and scenes of warfare dominate the life of the young King Henry. This retelling brings to life the tumultuous struggle of the heroic young monarch as he fights to protect his kingdom and his life.

Tony Bradman’s retelling of ‘Macbeth’ is a historical narrative. It is a very dark story, with almost a horror movie feel, as Macbeth is corrupted by ambition and power.

Three atmospheric adventures tell the life story of the legendary wizard – from his boyhood encounter with King Vortigern at a dragon tower, through his guardianship of King Arthur, to his fateful relationship with the scheming enchantress Nimue.

Every page features fresh, dynamic illustrations that bring the magical medieval world to life in a modern, graphic style for a new generation.

The classic Greek myth retold with easy-reading text for children who have just started reading alone.

Brave Theseus takes on the challenge of defeating the fearsome Minotaur deep in a maze of tunnels below Crete. But will he return from the Labyrinth alive? Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.

The Bennett sisters are coming of age and it’s time for them to find husbands if they want to find their place in high society. But will everything end up as they hope?
This title is aimed at children whose reading ability and confidence allows them to tackle longer and more complex stories.

Mysterious explosions on the surface of Mars signal the beginning of an alien invasion.

Soon the ruthless creatures are terrorizing Earth with their unstoppable death rays. Can nothing prevent these merciless Martians from taking over the world?

H.G. Wells’ classic story of Martian invasion, vividly retold for newly independent readers.