Henry VIII

January 1, 2011

Gr 6-9-These brief adaptations of individual plays have attractive, full-color panels illustrating the action and incorporating dialogue taken directly from the scripts. Each volume includes a cast list, a brief description of the setting, a short summary and analysis of the play, several famous phrases, a biography of the Bard, and list of his additional works. The artwork for As You Like It, Cymbeline, and The Comedy of Errors is done in a light palette of bright colors and pastels nicely suited to the subject matter, with characters drawn in a style heavily influenced by Japanese manga. Allen's illustrations for Henry VIII are more workmanlike and are in dark colors with numerous touches of royal purple. These books would probably work best as introductions to the plays for younger students or reluctant readers, as the additional materials and analysis are very basic. However, Cymbeline and Henry VIII seem odd choices for graphic adaptations for this age group, given that they are seldom if ever taught at the middle or high school level. As You Like It and The Comedy of Errors would probably receive more use. Purchase where needed.-Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2011
These graphic novels add a visual element to as much of Shakespeare's original iambic pentameter dialogue as can fit into the awkwardly placed speech bubbles. Illustrations effectively distinguish each play's setting, but little about the stiffly drawn figures or their interactions is likely to make these adaptations particularly appealing to readers.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)