William Shakespeare's the Tempest

Greatly simplified retelling of the original Shakespearean tale. The easy text makes it accesible for younger readers, and the artist's illustrations are good, occasionally very good. Every child needs some passing acquaintance with Shakespeare, if only that they can catch the correct references in the future, and this book is a good primer. Prospero the magician served as Duke in Milan, until his brother Antonio plots to exile him with his daughter Miranda, setting them adrift in a rickety boat. Landing on an island which he must make his home, he finds Ariel & liberating her from the tree in which she has been imprisoned, demands 12yrs of service. Calaban, a monster, is also allowed to share the island with them. In time, a ship comes by & Prospero is able to extract his revenge on his betrayors, & find a fine suitor for Miranda, forgive his brother and return to Milan. The oil paintings by Ruth Sanderson are finely detailed, and well wrought, for the most part. As a faint criticism, Miranda is very plain, but Sanderson's heroines often are. The sky's, wave & natural scenes are particularly well done - in some scenes the inspiration from Turner is particularly striking (and attractive).

I bought this book to use with my fifth grade class, and I'm very pleased with it. One of the main objections to this play is that Shakespeare was long on words and short on action. Mr. Coville retells the story without the political intrigue, without sacrificing the charm of the story. I also loved Ruth Sanderson's illustrations.