A Midsummer Night's Dream - Couverture rigide

The perfect primer...once children have got the stories under their belt, they will then be emboldened to tackle the real thing. (West Sussex Gazette 2002-11-14)

'a lyrical retelling of some of his greatest plays that captures all the magic of the original texts but beautifully brings them alive for readers who are reluctant or intimidated - a perfect gift book. (Parents News)

In modern but elegant language, the stories allow the reader to grasp the complexity of Shakespeare's work in an understandable way (Derby Evening Telegraph 2002-12-16)

Praise for Beverley Birch's Shakespeare Stories (1988):
'True to the power and poetry of the original plays, these dramatic retellings will help attract the reluctant and the intimidated to the pleasures of Shakespeare.'

(BOOKLIST)

Captures the power and humour of the original plays. (EDUCATIONAL MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY)

Superbly retold. (THE YOUNG READER)

Highly recommended. (THE BOOK REPORT)

Highly satisfactory means of introducing children to shakespeare ... tackles the central issues with great clarity and discretion. (LETTER TO SUNDAY TIMES)

I've always been opposed to condensation and simplification of great works of literature. As a remedial reading teacher, I refused to have my students use the versions of great books that were "written down" ... But here Birch has won me over completely. (KLIATT PAPERBACK GUIDE)

Beverley Birch evocatively retells ... in modern but elegant language, the stories allow the reader to grasp the complexity of Shakespeare's work in an understandable way (Derby evening telegraph)

Beverley is author of more than 40 books from picture books and novels to science biographies. She was born in London, grew up in Kenya and came to Britain for the first time at the age of fifteen. She graduated from Cambridge with a degree in Economics and Sociology. After travelling in Africa, America, Europe and the Middle East, Beverley joined Penguin as an editor. Her first job was on Economics textbooks, but within a few weeks someone offered to let her work on children`s books. She jumped at the chance, and has never looked back. Now she combines writing and working as an editor here at Hodder. She has two daughters and is married to photographer Nick Birch. Her latest novel RIFT is published in October 2006.