I really like the books in this collection, they're great for making Shakespeare accessible to younger learners, or to students like mine who speak English as a second language.
Hamlet didn't disappoint, not the most fun of the plays, in my opinion but these Tales make them all more fun.
I'd love to see online versions of this material., like powerpoints and resources for teachers, if that is something the publishers are interested in doing,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This is a good book for young readers to be exposed to Shakespeare. They will easily understand and enjoy the book. There is also a note for parents/adults to be warned to read the stories with children because the stories have adult themes.

*thank you to Netgalley, Arcturus Publishing and Samantha Newman for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*


4 stars

Ohh I loved this! I've always been curious about Shakespeares stories but just find I am unable to understand his style of writing. Much like Charles Dickens. So whenever I find them translated into a children's book, I grab them.

I've heard about the story of Hamlet now and then over the years but never could grasp the storyline. This book makes it so easy to read, understand and enjoy the famous tale of Hamlet.

I can see why it's so popular. The story involves quite a lot of death so that is something to be aware of if you have a sensitive child. But otherwise I would most definitely recommend this. I wish that all of Shakespeare's work was rewritten ifor children and us Adults who still can't grasp the original work.

Highly recommend.

I have read this book along with many of Samantha Newman's other 'Shakespeare tales' books. I have always been intrigued by Shakespeare's books but have only ever read Romeo and Juliet and that was about 20 years ago when I was in school. When I came across this book I thought it was a perfect way to get these stories out in the world for those who struggle with classic books. I read this book to my son along with him reading them. Malaki is ten years old and has loved reading these along with myself. Along with being interesting and fun books with great narrations they have all included morals/tales of some sort which Malaki enjoys telling me what the lesson to the story is. A great book and I'm looking forward to reading more of them. My son says that he has enjoyed reading them and it is good that there are books from Shakespeares he is able to read and understand.

** “Hamlet, you must listen to me. If you ever loved me, avenge my murder.” **

Sam Newman retells William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” for young readers, a story of jealousy, revenge and righting wrongs, with illustrations by Ceej Rowland.

When the king of Denmark is found dead, his wife quickly remarries his brother Claudius, which highly upsets the king’s son Hamlet. When his father’s ghost visits him, begging him to avenge his death, Hamlet begins a madcap journey to seek justice for his dead father.

But what follows is a deadly venture, revealing the high price one must pay to seek revenge.

Newman does a brilliant job of retelling a classic Shakespeare tale in five short acts in a way readers of all ages will understand and enjoy. Readers will enjoy finding several recognizable Shakespeare quotes in “Hamlet,” like “To be, or not to be; that is the question. Is life worth it anymore?”

The publisher does include a note indicating Shakespeare’s works can contain sensitive themes so adults should read these stories with their children. However, this story isn’t as sensitive as some of Shakespeare’s others.

Five stars out of five.

Arcturus Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

An easy to understand adaptation of Hamlet, although with some fluidity sacrificed in the translation. That is to be expected in a child-friendly retelling of such a heavy story!

A bit hard to read. Jumped through the story too fast at times. Could of used more details for the characters and setting up the story.

This is a good adaptation of Hamlet for younger readers who want to read his stories. This is the story of Hamlet, the young prince of Denmark whose father has just died and his uncle has married his mother to become King. When Hamlet's father ghost appears before him to tell him he was murdered, he asks him to avenge him.

The adaptation to the story is very adequate; it is concise, explains the most important parts of the story and it is written in a very accesible language. The font is also child friendly and it has some illustrations that help to follow the story.

Great retelling of Hamlet for kids, capturing the complex plot and tense atmosphere of the story very well. Hamlet, the troubled young prince of Denmark, has lost his father recently and his mother has married his uncle, who has usurped the throne! Hamlet is instructed by his father's ghost to punish his uncle who actually was his father's killer! The poor prince is caught in a web of anguish and turmoil and even pretends to be out of his mind to gain time and keep himself safe from his wicked uncle.

As Hamlet plans to ascertain his uncle's guilt, matters are complicated when kills his lover Ophelia's father by mistake and things go downhill from there. He is racing against the clock to avenge his father before his uncle can suspect him and finish him off first. Battling the losses of those he loved, and driven by his desire for revenge, Hamlet comes across as a great tragic hero who is a victim of the dark circumstances. This simple yet powerful adaptation of this classic tragedy will have kids holding their breath and rooting for Hamlet all the way, and sympathizing with his terrible predicament.

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC!

*Arc provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review*

I think this is my least favorite in the series. Probably because I really enjoy Hamlet (Bless David Tennant's acting skills). While it's still child-friendly and modernized, the translation from adults to children left this book choppy at best. It feels like we're missing gigantic chunks of information, and largely due to the fact that you're missing pages upon pages of important dialogue that are tossed to the way side to focus on the basic details of the tale.

I can’t even begin to fathom how complicated it must be to adapt such a well known Shakespeare tale and bring it into a digestible and enjoyable format for children (extra added layer if difficulty for such a heavy tale as Hamlet!).

Shakespeare often touches on difficult and heavy topics, with complex themes, plots and language. So the fact that these are adapted in such a way that makes reading effortless whilst still conveying expertly the full and original story, is mind blowing. When they’re done so well, it can be easy to dismiss just how hard a feat this really is!

Now Hamlet is one of the more well known and famous of Shakespeare’s stories and it’s great to bring this one to younger readers. A caveat though with this one is that it is not a happy tale. There’s plenty of death and it’s not often the main character or protagonist of the story dies. It’s an important one in my book and an essential of Shakespeare’s tales.

It was written and adapted so well and leads the reader gently and assuredly through a tale of woe, ghostly visitors, plotting and murder. Which is Hamlet for you!

Shakespeare's Tales: Hamlet by Samantha Newman

A retelling of Hamlet's father being murdered, and Hamlet is out for justice.

This is such a fun adaption that can help bring Shakespeare into a child's life that is easy for them understand and they can make sense of what the story is about. I love that we stumbled upon this Shakespeare series, it has been an enjoyment for all.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Shakespeare's Tales: As you like it retold by Samantha Newman

I really enjoy these types of novels. an easy adaption of the classic Shakespeare play, it makes Shakespeare accessible to all.

Hamlet's father has been murdered by his mother and uncle/new stepfather and he is determined to see them pay for that.

This adaption is faithful to the original play and tells the story in a way that we can all enjoy.

#Shakespeare #muchadoaboutnothing #Netgalley #adaption #humour

A brilliant way to get the tales from Shakespeare in to kids reading that isn’t in olde English and that actually makes the story understandable. Can be read by any age. Look forward to the rest in the series

I really enjoyed Arcturus' series of abridged Sherlock Holmes stories for young readers, so I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Arcturus have launched a series of abridges Shakespeare tales as well. While Charles and Mary Lamb's classic adaptations will always be my number one choice for introducing young readers to the Bard, I will definitely recommend this new series as well!

This is a great re-telling of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies and the inspiration behind Disney's The Lion King. Prince Hamlet's father, the king of Denmark, has died suddenly and his mother has immediately married his uncle. Hamlet, needless to say, is not pleased. Things hardly improve when his father's ghost appears to inform him that his uncle was the murderer, and that Hamlet must avenge his father! The young Prince, with the help of his friend Horatio, hatches a scheme to prove his uncle's guilt. Convinced that his uncle really did murder his father, Hamlet feigns madness to avert suspicion as he tries to decide how to exact revenge. But further tragedies ensue, as he accidentally kills the father of his beloved Ophelia, is himself sent away by Claudius to be secretly killed, and manages to survive only to return home to find Ophelia dead as well.

Can Hamlet still keep his word to his father's ghost? Or will Claudius' machinations catch up with him before he can fulfil his goal of revenge? Young readers will enjoy the dramatic scenes unfolding one after another, building up to the intense, fateful climax. I hope this series will spark children's interest in the wonderful world of Shakespearean drama!

Arcturus Publishing puts out classics that have been rewritten for young readers. I like these titles and hope that they will encourage kids to look at the originals when they are a bit older.

This one is part of the series of Shakespearean plays. The story of Hamlet is well told and the key elements are included in this illustrated title. The publisher notes that there are some difficult aspects to the story. In my opinion these include the murder/death of a parent, ghosts, Ophelia's fate and more. They suggest that this one be read with an adult or for an adult to take the time to speak with a child once they have finished reading. I agree.

Still, it is a compelling tale and one that I think will hold the reader's attention.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.