As April 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, there are a slew of books honouring the playwright, including Tony Bradman’s tale making the Bard extremely accessible for readers aged 7-10.
The chapters are split into scenes and the first begins with Toby Cuffe, an orphan, seeking out Moll Cut-Purse, the Queen of the Pickpockets at The Devil’s Tavern.
She agrees to take him under her wing – so far, so Oliver Twist – and learns Toby has been taught to read by his mum (adding a pinch of Roald Dahl’s Matilda). Moll sends Toby and fellow thief Jack off to The Globe to pick pockets, but Toby is distracted by watching Macbeth unfold on stage and gets caught red-handed.
He’s taken to Will Shakespeare, who’s suffering terrible writer’s block in his study, and Toby only depresses him further with the news that a rival theatre is set to reopen.
Toby offers to spy for the ‘Sharers’ who own The Globe – and with Moll’s help, they tarnish the rival theatre’s reputation, buying Will valuable time to write a new play.
I won’t divulge which, but it poignantly involves a plum part for Toby.
With a ‘second Act’ of ‘Funne Activities for Boyes & Girls’, Bradman’s book, boosted by Tom Morgan-Jones’ evocative illustrations, is the perfect way to introduce younger children to Shakespeare.
Published by Barrington Stoke
