Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Puffin Books (2003), Edition: Illustrated, 48 pages
Description
One night two young couples run into an enchanted forest in an attempt to escape their problems. But these four humans do not realize that the forest is filled with fairies and hobgoblins who love making mischief. When Oberon, the Fairy King, and his loyal hobgoblin servant, Puck, intervene in human affairs, the fate of these young couples is magically and hilariously transformed. Like a classic fairy tale, this retelling of William Shakespeare's most beloved comedy is perfect for older readers who will find much to treasure and for younger readers who will love hearing the story read aloud.
Media reviews
Coville follows up his version of The Tempest... with a retelling of another of Shakespeare's most popular plays. The fundamental story of magic, mischief and the trials and tribulations of love is preserved through well-chosen use of the original language and Coville's heady prose.... Major plot
Show More
lines are clearly and concisely rendered, but it is the portrayal of the various levels of humor -- from Bottom's buffoonery to Puck's gleeful magic-making -- that really captures the essence of the play. Nolan's... sumptuous, painterly watercolors highlight the theatrical setting of the spellbound wood. ... A first-rate entree to the Bard. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member mdaniel54
Looking back on past relationships, it often seems as if the outcome was predetermined. This, of course, is just hindsight working in conjunction with a human desire for a clear, direct path. But, what if there were indeed forces guiding our romances? Shakespeare lampoons that very idea in his
A dramatized Athenian world populated both by love-lorn humans and fairies, one would expect Nolan's illustrations to pop off the page. He does not disappoint. The artwork is beautiful, perfectly capturing the whimsical world of the text.
Though Coville does skimp over some aspects of the original tale, readers will hardly notice. Veterans of Shakespeare will note that the "play within a play" towards the end of the work was scaled down considerably, however, young readers won't miss a beat.
In a back-of-the-book note, Coville details his motivation for writing a picture-book version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, saying it was meant to be "a gateway of greater enjoyment" of Shakespeare's works. I feel confident in saying his goal was achieved.
Show More
classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream, adapted here in picture-book form by Bruce Coville and Dennis Nolan.A dramatized Athenian world populated both by love-lorn humans and fairies, one would expect Nolan's illustrations to pop off the page. He does not disappoint. The artwork is beautiful, perfectly capturing the whimsical world of the text.
Though Coville does skimp over some aspects of the original tale, readers will hardly notice. Veterans of Shakespeare will note that the "play within a play" towards the end of the work was scaled down considerably, however, young readers won't miss a beat.
In a back-of-the-book note, Coville details his motivation for writing a picture-book version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, saying it was meant to be "a gateway of greater enjoyment" of Shakespeare's works. I feel confident in saying his goal was achieved.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jcarroll12
Beautiful illustrations accompany one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. I love the author's note at the end where he indicates how important the illustrations are since readers often have a difficult time distinguishing Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, and Helena. This version presents the "play
Show More
within a play" idea without confusion; I think students struggle with the Bottom/Quince play second story that happens simultaneously. Show Less
Awards
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Top Ten — 1997)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
11 inches
ISBN
0142501689 / 9780142501689