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What's So Special about Dickens? by Michael Rosen
So what was it like to live in Shakespeare's time? What do we actually know about him? And how does someone become that famous? These are just a few of the questions addressed in this lively and accessible book on the life and works of William Shakespeare by award-winning author, Michael Rosen. Ideal for browsing, the text is divided into clear sections and includes studies of four of Shakespeare's plays, intriguing facts and information about Shakespeare himself and the world at this time, accompanied by a useful time line.
Paperback
First published April 2, 2007
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About the author
Michael Rosen
590 books533 followersMichael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 25, 2024
سیسی، خواهر کوچولوی دوستداشتنیم، تکهای از جونم، اینروزا دوباره تولدته، و من باز هم نشستم به خوندن. هر سال تو این روزا، یه کتاب از نویسنده مورد علاقت، شکسپیر، برمیدارم و میخونم. انگار این کار تنها راهیه که میتونم یادت رو و عشقت به کتابها رو زنده نگه دارم.
اما امسال فرق داشت. این بار به جای خوندن یکی از نمایشنامههاش، یه کتاب درباره خود شکسپیر خوندم. کتابی پر از تصویرهای زنده و رنگی، با نثری که نرم و روان، مثل قصه گفتنای تو، آدمو با خودش میبرد. موقع ورق زدنش مدام به این فکر میکردم که اگه تو بودی، چقدر از این کتاب خوشت میاومد. میدونم، حتما عاشقش میشدی.
سیسی، عزیز دلم، دلم برات اونقدر تنگ شده که هیچ واژهای نمیتونه توضیح بده. تو همه امیدم بودی، همهی عشقم، و همهی زندگیم. وقتی رفتی، انگار شادی از زندگی من برای همیشه کوچ کرد. اما تو با عشقت به کتابها یه چیزی برام جا گذاشتی؛ یه چراغ، یه نشونه، یه راه که هنوز هم بتونم باهات حرف بزنم، هنوز هم حس کنم کنارمی.
امسال بیشتر از هر چیزی بخش مربوط به "هملت" برام جذاب بود. چون یادمه چقدر این نمایشنامه رو دوست داشتی. یادمه با چه شور و شوقی ازش حرف میزدی، از شاهزاده اندوهگین و سرنوشت دردناکش. وقتی اون قسمت رو خوندم، انگار تو کنارم بودی، داشتی باهام حرف میزدی، مثل روزای قدیم که زنده بودی و دنیا با حضورت قشنگتر بود.
خواهر کوچولوی من، فرشتهی نازنینم، تولدت رو اینجوری جشن گرفتم. با یه دنیا دلتنگی و یه کتاب که پر از یاد تو بود. سیسی قشنگم، هیچچیز جای خالی تو رو پر نمیکنه. دلم برای خندههات، برای حرف زدنت، برای نگاهت پرپر میزنه. این کتاب، این لحظهها، این یادها، همه و همه برای توئه.
تولدت مبارک، فرشتهی من. امیدوارم هرجا که هستی، بدونی چقدر دوستت دارم و همیشه به یادتم.
اما امسال فرق داشت. این بار به جای خوندن یکی از نمایشنامههاش، یه کتاب درباره خود شکسپیر خوندم. کتابی پر از تصویرهای زنده و رنگی، با نثری که نرم و روان، مثل قصه گفتنای تو، آدمو با خودش میبرد. موقع ورق زدنش مدام به این فکر میکردم که اگه تو بودی، چقدر از این کتاب خوشت میاومد. میدونم، حتما عاشقش میشدی.
سیسی، عزیز دلم، دلم برات اونقدر تنگ شده که هیچ واژهای نمیتونه توضیح بده. تو همه امیدم بودی، همهی عشقم، و همهی زندگیم. وقتی رفتی، انگار شادی از زندگی من برای همیشه کوچ کرد. اما تو با عشقت به کتابها یه چیزی برام جا گذاشتی؛ یه چراغ، یه نشونه، یه راه که هنوز هم بتونم باهات حرف بزنم، هنوز هم حس کنم کنارمی.
امسال بیشتر از هر چیزی بخش مربوط به "هملت" برام جذاب بود. چون یادمه چقدر این نمایشنامه رو دوست داشتی. یادمه با چه شور و شوقی ازش حرف میزدی، از شاهزاده اندوهگین و سرنوشت دردناکش. وقتی اون قسمت رو خوندم، انگار تو کنارم بودی، داشتی باهام حرف میزدی، مثل روزای قدیم که زنده بودی و دنیا با حضورت قشنگتر بود.
خواهر کوچولوی من، فرشتهی نازنینم، تولدت رو اینجوری جشن گرفتم. با یه دنیا دلتنگی و یه کتاب که پر از یاد تو بود. سیسی قشنگم، هیچچیز جای خالی تو رو پر نمیکنه. دلم برای خندههات، برای حرف زدنت، برای نگاهت پرپر میزنه. این کتاب، این لحظهها، این یادها، همه و همه برای توئه.
تولدت مبارک، فرشتهی من. امیدوارم هرجا که هستی، بدونی چقدر دوستت دارم و همیشه به یادتم.
December 24, 2024
این کتابِ مختصر و مفید دقیقاً سعی میکنه جواب سوال روی جلدش رو بده: چی شکسپیر رو خاص میکنه؟
یکی از مسائلی که در مورد شکسپیر وجود داره اینه که از زندگیش خیلی کم میدونیم. تا حدی که حتی تاریخ تولد دقیقش رو هم خبر نداریم. نمیدونیم کجا مدرسه رفته و دقیقاً به چه کارهای دیگری جز بازیگری و نمایشنامهنویسی مشغول بوده. برای همین بیشتر از طریق شرایط تاریخی زمانهش، نوشتههاش و معدود اسناد موجود، زندگینامهش حدس زده میشه. این کتاب هم همینکار رو میکنه و از شرایط سیاسی، اجتماعی و مذهبی زمان شکسپیر صحبت میکنه و خوبیش اینه اطلاعات نه خیلی کلی هست که به درد نخوره و نه انقدر جزئی که برای آشنایی اولیه خستهکننده باشه
نویسنده کمی هم به آثار شکسپیر میپردازه، داستان چندتاشون رو توضیح میده و بعد هم سعی میکنه نشان بده که چرا آثار شکسپیر ماندگار شدند. همهی اینها به زبان ساده نوشته شدن و برای نوجوان و بزرگسال مناسب هستند. راستی تصاویر بانمکی هم این وسط داره. این کتاب برام حکم دِسر بعد از شام مجلل شکسپیرخوانی امسال رو داشت و بیصبرانه منتظر وعدهی بعدیم
:چند تا حقیقت جالب در مورد شکسپیر
یک: در وصیتنامهش، دومین تخت خوب خونه رو برای همسرش به ارث میگذاره. چرا؟ هیچکس نمیدونه!
دو. این کلمهها و جملات انگلیسی اولین بار توسط شکسپیر ساخته/نوشته شدند
Hint/lonely/excellent/gloomy/tongue-tied
Game is up/Has seen better days/Own flesh and blood
کتاب رو میتونید از اینجا دانلود کنید
Maede's Books
۱۴۰۳/۱۰/۴
December 26, 2024
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Highly enjoyable and ridiculously simple. Although the book is aimed for children, it's hugely informative and yet, to-the-point.
Starts off by giving a glimpse of back-then theaters, including Shaks. own theater called "The Globe" which is still functional in London. We learn that Shaks. himself was an actor in his own plays. Then proceeds to elaborate on Shaks. times which are said to be extraordinary and dangerous (he lived during the reign of Elizabeth I and James I), this is why there's always a tremendous amount of plotting, treachery and let's-kill-the-king stuff going on in his plays. If you thought Shaks. invented everything from scratch though, you are mistaken. He would take plays, books, folk stories and poems from Italy, ancient Rome and Arab countries and turn them into dramas. He was not only a writer but also a shrewd bussiness man who knew how to make a fortune and was financially intelligent. Shaks. was also really lucky to be living in an era where theaters were on the rise and altogether a great time to be in showbiz. Theaters had started to turn heads and redirect the influx of audience from inns to themselves, where anyone could watch a play for a penny. Later on, we understand what the meaning of dramatic irony is. Shaks. was known for his irony and powerful use of emotion in plays. His novel use of language is another key element. Shaks. once wrote: Thank me no thankings, nor proud me no prouds... pretty close to when parents say "don't you 'that's rubbish' me!" nowadays, except that it was used for the first time 400 years ago. Finally what makes Shaks. so special? A combination of all the above-mentioned made him a celebrity at his time and a legend today.
Highly enjoyable and ridiculously simple. Although the book is aimed for children, it's hugely informative and yet, to-the-point.
Starts off by giving a glimpse of back-then theaters, including Shaks. own theater called "The Globe" which is still functional in London. We learn that Shaks. himself was an actor in his own plays. Then proceeds to elaborate on Shaks. times which are said to be extraordinary and dangerous (he lived during the reign of Elizabeth I and James I), this is why there's always a tremendous amount of plotting, treachery and let's-kill-the-king stuff going on in his plays. If you thought Shaks. invented everything from scratch though, you are mistaken. He would take plays, books, folk stories and poems from Italy, ancient Rome and Arab countries and turn them into dramas. He was not only a writer but also a shrewd bussiness man who knew how to make a fortune and was financially intelligent. Shaks. was also really lucky to be living in an era where theaters were on the rise and altogether a great time to be in showbiz. Theaters had started to turn heads and redirect the influx of audience from inns to themselves, where anyone could watch a play for a penny. Later on, we understand what the meaning of dramatic irony is. Shaks. was known for his irony and powerful use of emotion in plays. His novel use of language is another key element. Shaks. once wrote: Thank me no thankings, nor proud me no prouds... pretty close to when parents say "don't you 'that's rubbish' me!" nowadays, except that it was used for the first time 400 years ago. Finally what makes Shaks. so special? A combination of all the above-mentioned made him a celebrity at his time and a legend today.
January 24, 2022
I read the author's fascinating What's So Special about Dickens? and decided to read this one, too. Michael Rosen makes Shakespeare's life, work, and milieu accessible for young readers. As with the Dickens book, he does an outstanding job of demonstrating the influence that a rapidly changing world had on the young playwright, particularly London but also extending to the other countries and cultures whose writers and stories influenced him. Rosen also lays out the differences between the various types of plays - history, tragedy, romance, comedy - and shows how they can overlap. He effectively shows how Shakespeare's legacy is his written word - not just the body of work, but the words and turns of phrase that now permeate English and modern culture, many of which we don't even realize come from Shakespeare. This is a wonderful book, written to persuade young readers to read and learn about the Bard, but also enjoyable for adults who will learn something as well.
July 6, 2022
When I got to the end of this book, I felt like I left understanding a lot more about Shakespeare. The book was very informative and now I understand where many sayings come from and the context of many plays. The book also puts into perspective how little we know about Shakespeare’s life. “When all is said, we know next to nothing about what made Shakespeare happy, angry or sad” the amount we know about most historical figures is shockingly low, we don't even know what many of them look like, including Shakespeare. This book was written with the idea of sort of humanizing Shakespeare and making the process of learning about him more interesting. Many people would never have learnt of the things in this book if not for how approachable it is. Learning about Shakespeare and turning him into less of a mythological figure and rather just a person is important, it lets us know that despite how much impact a figure like him had, his plays reflected many of his own human emotions. The idea of Shakespeare being just a human who started off from nothing and impacted the performing arts permanently also lets people who are still alive know that they too can have as much of an impact on the world and its history forever. So what’s so special about Shakespeare? Probably that he was a human and not that special himself.
August 28, 2021
This may have been aimed for children but I think many adults would enjoy it too. I did not study Shakespeare at school so this was an excellent introduction to his works & life. There are descriptions of his plays etc but all in simple language that genuinely encourages the reader. I intend to read Rosen’s book on Dickens soon!
April 10, 2018
This book is the perfect way to introduce to children who Shakespeare is. It opens up with what you might've seen on stage during Shakespeare's plays. Then, it goes on to talk about how hard of a time it was when Shakespeare was growing up. Next are some facts about Shakespeare, like in 1603, his theater company became known as the King's Men.
Throughout the book, the author incorporates lines and scenes from Shakespeare's plays. We also learn about some of the different plays in more detail. One part that stood out to me was the chapter on Shakespeare's will because this was new information to me. He left most of his belongings to only one of his daughters, which is odd and people can only speculate as to why.
I'm a huge fan of Shakespeare and can't wait until my daughter is old enough to understand this book. It's an excellent and factual tribute to Shakespeare and gives me hope that his legacy will continue to be passed on. I especially love the timeline in the back of the book because it puts the events into a linear perspective.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this book to fans of history and Shakespeare. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT SHAKESPEARE is enlightening and opens the reader's eyes to how different life used to be.
Throughout the book, the author incorporates lines and scenes from Shakespeare's plays. We also learn about some of the different plays in more detail. One part that stood out to me was the chapter on Shakespeare's will because this was new information to me. He left most of his belongings to only one of his daughters, which is odd and people can only speculate as to why.
I'm a huge fan of Shakespeare and can't wait until my daughter is old enough to understand this book. It's an excellent and factual tribute to Shakespeare and gives me hope that his legacy will continue to be passed on. I especially love the timeline in the back of the book because it puts the events into a linear perspective.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this book to fans of history and Shakespeare. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT SHAKESPEARE is enlightening and opens the reader's eyes to how different life used to be.
March 2, 2024
Alexender Pope had this to say about the Bard: "His characters are so much Nature herself, that is a sort of injury to call them by so distant a name as copies of her.
Those of other poets have constant resemblance, which shows that they received them from one another and were but multipliers of the same image: each picture, like a mock rainbow, is but the reflection of a reflection. But every single character in Shakespeare is as much an individual as those in life; itself it is as impossible to find any two alike; as such as from their relation or affinity in any respect appear must to be twins, will upon comparison be found remarkably distinct.
To this life and variety of character we must add the wonderful preservation of it, which is such throughout his plays, that, had all the speeches been printed without the very names of the persons I believe one might have applied them with certainty to every speaker."
Now, this quotation is for the grown-ups. This quotation is for those who have already basked in the genius of the Bard. But, what do you tell a seven year old, for example if you want him to be privy to the same pleasures derived from Shakespeare as you did in your teens? How would you intiate him to the era of Elizabeth?
No better book than this one.
This book contains the following chapters:
1) A Plot! 1598
2) What’s So special about Shakespeare?
3) Extraordinary and dangerous times
4) Shakespeare: the facts
5) Stratford and school
6) London
7) Theatre in the making
8) The new theatres
9) Shakespeare at work
10) A Midsummer Night’s Deam
11) Macbeth
12) King Lear
13) The Tempest
14) The drama of Shakespeare
15) The will
16) The legacy
With two potent forces of the Renaissance and Reformation amalgamating to make a wholly new England, Shakespeare emerged with his volley of dreams. Introduce your child to the wonders of that world. Gift him/her this book.
They’ll bless you later.
Those of other poets have constant resemblance, which shows that they received them from one another and were but multipliers of the same image: each picture, like a mock rainbow, is but the reflection of a reflection. But every single character in Shakespeare is as much an individual as those in life; itself it is as impossible to find any two alike; as such as from their relation or affinity in any respect appear must to be twins, will upon comparison be found remarkably distinct.
To this life and variety of character we must add the wonderful preservation of it, which is such throughout his plays, that, had all the speeches been printed without the very names of the persons I believe one might have applied them with certainty to every speaker."
Now, this quotation is for the grown-ups. This quotation is for those who have already basked in the genius of the Bard. But, what do you tell a seven year old, for example if you want him to be privy to the same pleasures derived from Shakespeare as you did in your teens? How would you intiate him to the era of Elizabeth?
No better book than this one.
This book contains the following chapters:
1) A Plot! 1598
2) What’s So special about Shakespeare?
3) Extraordinary and dangerous times
4) Shakespeare: the facts
5) Stratford and school
6) London
7) Theatre in the making
8) The new theatres
9) Shakespeare at work
10) A Midsummer Night’s Deam
11) Macbeth
12) King Lear
13) The Tempest
14) The drama of Shakespeare
15) The will
16) The legacy
With two potent forces of the Renaissance and Reformation amalgamating to make a wholly new England, Shakespeare emerged with his volley of dreams. Introduce your child to the wonders of that world. Gift him/her this book.
They’ll bless you later.
April 12, 2018
The author introduces middle grade readers to Shakespeare, his times and his works. Basic biographical information is given along with a look at the “Extraordinary and Dangerous Times” in which he lived. Readers are informed about the role of the theater as a mode of entertainment, politics and information. After an introduction to London, to theaters, to the main types of Shakespearean plays (Tragedy, Roman, Comedy, Romance), the author takes a closer look at four of Shakespeare’s plays: A Midsummer’s Night Dream, MacBeth, King Lear and The Tempest. The author concludes with a chapter on Shakespeare’s legacy of words and phrases that are still in use today. The pen and ink illustrations help break up the text and add some humor to the facts. A “Time Line” includes information on what was happening in the world along with biographical information on Shakespeare and his works. The author also provides a detailed index and a bibliography, making this a useful title for school reports. Share it with students who are going to be reading Shakespeare or seeing a performance of one of his plays.
January 7, 2021
As a huge Shakespeare fan, I wanted to love this book, but I didn't. Although it is meant to be an introduction to Shakespeare, I felt that a reader would require prior knowledge and experience with Shakespeare's works to truly understand this book, which kind of defeats the purpose.
It appears to be written for middle school children (grades 5/6), however, I felt that some of the content was inappropriate for that age (e.g., a bloody cartoon of the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a cartoon of a bare backside person wearing a donkey mask and high black boots stating "This is to make an ass of me.").
There is also a passage that I find particularly concerning:
"Satan hath not a more speedy way, fitter school to work and teach his desire to bring men and women into his snare of concupiscence and filthy lusts of whoredom, than those places and plays..." (p. 68)"
I feel that the content of this book is better suited for older readers, however, the format of the book (cartoons, large print, short chapters) is more appealing to younger readers.
It appears to be written for middle school children (grades 5/6), however, I felt that some of the content was inappropriate for that age (e.g., a bloody cartoon of the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a cartoon of a bare backside person wearing a donkey mask and high black boots stating "This is to make an ass of me.").
There is also a passage that I find particularly concerning:
"Satan hath not a more speedy way, fitter school to work and teach his desire to bring men and women into his snare of concupiscence and filthy lusts of whoredom, than those places and plays..." (p. 68)"
I feel that the content of this book is better suited for older readers, however, the format of the book (cartoons, large print, short chapters) is more appealing to younger readers.
April 17, 2018
Rosen, Michael What's so special about Shakespeare? 147 pages. NON-FICTION Candlewick Press, 2001 (reprint with Illustrations2018) $15.
A thorough light read about William Shakespeare and his plays. Beginning with the facts and what we know, we get a short biography on the Bard, then, the author fleshes out his life with what would have been normal for a boy/man of that time. Elizabethan theater is covered, including the plot of 4 of the plays - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, King Lear and The Tempest.
I loved how lines from the plays were used to connect his life story and the time period. Footnotes helped with strange words or meanings. This is a great source for an independent read, or even for a teacher who needs a quick refresher on the life and times of William Shakespeare. Includes a timeline, bibliography, and index.
EL - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
A thorough light read about William Shakespeare and his plays. Beginning with the facts and what we know, we get a short biography on the Bard, then, the author fleshes out his life with what would have been normal for a boy/man of that time. Elizabethan theater is covered, including the plot of 4 of the plays - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, King Lear and The Tempest.
I loved how lines from the plays were used to connect his life story and the time period. Footnotes helped with strange words or meanings. This is a great source for an independent read, or even for a teacher who needs a quick refresher on the life and times of William Shakespeare. Includes a timeline, bibliography, and index.
EL - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
April 15, 2018
A thorough light read about William Shakespeare and his plays. Beginning with the facts and what we know, we get a short biography on the Bard, then, the author fleshes out his life with what would have been normal for a boy/man of that time. Elizabethan theater is covered, including the plot of 4 of the plays - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, King Lear and The Tempest.
I loved how lines from the plays were used to connect his life story and the time period. Footnotes helped with strange words or meanings. This is a great source for an independent read, or even for a teacher who needs a quick refresher on the life and times of William Shakespeare. Includes a timeline, bibliography, and index.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
I loved how lines from the plays were used to connect his life story and the time period. Footnotes helped with strange words or meanings. This is a great source for an independent read, or even for a teacher who needs a quick refresher on the life and times of William Shakespeare. Includes a timeline, bibliography, and index.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
January 30, 2022
Borrowed this from the local library to just peruse, but mainly for my son, as I know he has a keen interest in Shakespeare that has been with him since he first saw a play on TV when he was just 5yrs old!
It is really good in general and my son will like all the historical references and the ideas of what was going on around Shakespeare time as well as the plays he wrote.
It is really good in general and my son will like all the historical references and the ideas of what was going on around Shakespeare time as well as the plays he wrote.
May 28, 2017
I was excited about this book, thinking easy format. We enjoyed the first chapter and we found out some interesting facts on that period of history. But it wasn't engaging enough for us to finish the hook.
September 21, 2019
Looking for a simple biography of Shakespeare to share with my students. This one is well done, with some fun illustrations. Probably a bit younger than my students need, but really good for upper elementary kids.
March 24, 2025
Have read it twice which I never do and I'll read it again. I don't like Shakespeare a huge amount but this book makes it fascinating with the ties to the culture history and language in use at the time.
January 19, 2019
4.5. Plan to read aloud to the kiddos!
May 11, 2019
A short overview of the life and works of a famous author.
I found this book interesting, but a bit lacking in depth.
Reading time around one hour.
I found this book interesting, but a bit lacking in depth.
Reading time around one hour.
sony-or-android
August 9, 2019Maybe avl more readily but I found it in Tulsa to skim. Short enough... mostly bio... but still feels like a 'should' read that I may not get to for awhile.
July 19, 2020
Not as interesting as was expected
April 4, 2021
I'm here to learn more about Shakespeare so I can teach Shakespeare better. A short, quick read that gave a short quick overview. This will be a good book to excerpt and give to students as mini readings for background on Shakespeare's life and work. Teaching is also learning and studying!!
July 1, 2024
The writing was clear and at a level appropriate for an early introduction to Shakespeare. I really did not like the illustrations. I prefer illustrations that are more polished.
August 3, 2011
Bought it for school library, informative but blessedwith M.R.'s humour
July 21, 2012
Brilliant for readers aged 9-90, this is the great Bard painted by numbers in zany Michael Rosen style!
April 28, 2016
Dipping into this with an eye to teaching Shakespeare to younger students. A good read, well-pitched to the audience.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews