Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare

1. Bibliography

Stanley, Diane and Peter Vennema. 1992. Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare. Ill. by Diane Stanley. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688091083

2. Plot Summary

This biography pieces together the known facts of William Shakespeare and tells about his life.

3. Critical Analysis

This book begins with an author’s note which is very honest and upfront that explains that Williams Shakespeare’s life is somewhat of a mystery because there is very little information about his life. Therefore this biography tells what it can about Shakespeare. It does describe many details about the time period he lived in. As for its authenticity, Stanley and Vennema did the best they could with the factual information they could find about his life and all the research on the sixteenth century. The setting is described in detail with paintings throughout the book. It gives the emotions and attitudes of the different classes of people for that time period. For example, “They were called the groundlings, and they were known to drink too much beer and be quite noisy and rude if they didn’t like the play.” Many ideas of Williams Shakespeare had to be assumed due to lack of evidence. The plot touches on the known facts from the time Shakespeare was five, until he died in 1616. The book is well organized. Along with the authors note at the beginning of the book, it also has a postscript, just before the bibliography, which describes the challenges of writing about William Shakespeare’s life. It also discusses the difficulty in spelling things correctly based on the various ways English was read and spoken during that time. It states that, “Shakespeare’s name has been spelled more than eighty different ways, including “Shagspeare,””Shakspere,” and even “Shakestaffe.” There are six documents signed by Shakespeare, and he spells his name differently in each one.” The book ends with a bibliography to show where the authors got their facts to piece together this book. The overall book is somewhat attractive and does make the reader curious to want to learn more about this unique man.

4. Review Excerpts (s)

Horn Book

"A remarkably rounded picture of Shakespeare's life and the period in which he lived is presented--together with a thoughtful attempt to relate circumstances in his personal life to the content of his plays. Especially interesting is the description of the actors of the time....The text is splendidly supported by the illustrations...and present a clear view of life in the late sixteenth century. A discerning, knowledgeable biography, rising far above the ordinary."

Publishers Weekly

"These seasoned raconteurs...neatly piece together the puzzle of Shakespeare's life," said PW in a starred review, praising the "stunning, intricate" paintings. Ages 6-up.

5. Connections

· Students can read and act out one of William Shakespeare’s plays.
· Encourage students to write a play.