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Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Pearly Pants
The exciting second audiobook in Kate Penney’s Will Shakespeare series.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
THE PEARLY PANTS is another funny play on Shakespeare plays for young readers.
After THE STINKY STOLEN TOENAILS played on Romeo and Juliet, THE PEARLY PANTS riffs on the next most famous Shakespeare play; Macbeth. There are the Macdeaths, the gracious Dunkin, Macfluff, Banquet, and even three witches. It's a delightfully silly reinvention of the story, complete with a moving "forest" of Dunsinane .
For the adults reading this alongside their children, there are some of the play's most famous lines slipped in - but not at all in the context they were originally intended. We have "is this a dagger I see before me?" and "out damned spot" among others. It's such a fun level of detail for those familiar with the play. You can tell Kaz had a lot of fun putting this book together.
For the children, there are lots of gross things. Haggis - made as disgustingly as possible - and plenty of poo. It's not Shakespeare without fart jokes after all!
Sammy Elgie illustrates again, bringing the wacky world to life with the pictures of the truly absurd situations Will and Tybalt find themselves in. It makes it a visual pleasure to read, with stains and strange fonts so it could be like a child writing in a diary - complete with interjections from a friend as they argue over what really happeneded whenever anything embarrassing comes up.
THE PEARLY PANTS is another funny play on Shakespeare plays for young readers.
After THE STINKY STOLEN TOENAILS played on Romeo and Juliet, THE PEARLY PANTS riffs on the next most famous Shakespeare play; Macbeth. There are the Macdeaths, the gracious Dunkin, Macfluff, Banquet, and even three witches. It's a delightfully silly reinvention of the story, complete with a moving "forest" of Dunsinane .
For the adults reading this alongside their children, there are some of the play's most famous lines slipped in - but not at all in the context they were originally intended. We have "is this a dagger I see before me?" and "out damned spot" among others. It's such a fun level of detail for those familiar with the play. You can tell Kaz had a lot of fun putting this book together.
For the children, there are lots of gross things. Haggis - made as disgustingly as possible - and plenty of poo. It's not Shakespeare without fart jokes after all!
Sammy Elgie illustrates again, bringing the wacky world to life with the pictures of the truly absurd situations Will and Tybalt find themselves in. It makes it a visual pleasure to read, with stains and strange fonts so it could be like a child writing in a diary - complete with interjections from a friend as they argue over what really happeneded whenever anything embarrassing comes up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was pleased to read this ARC from Net Galley, it was very much horrible histories meets Shakespeare I enjoy this adaptation of Macbeth and the many nods to Shakespeare's works throughout the story. I do hope the author continues to write more in this series. I enjoyed the character of the young will Shakespeare and his friend Tybalt. I will be picking up a copy of the first mystery, The Stinky Stolen Toenails.
I did find some of the humour a little first form, but I do think this will appeal to it main reading demographic, who enjoy, pooh and fart jokes, but the book can be enjoy by adults and children alike with or without any previous knowledge of Shakespeare's plays..
I give this book a rating of 3.5 starts
I did find some of the humour a little first form, but I do think this will appeal to it main reading demographic, who enjoy, pooh and fart jokes, but the book can be enjoy by adults and children alike with or without any previous knowledge of Shakespeare's plays..
I give this book a rating of 3.5 starts
August 20, 2026
A great introduction to detective fiction, with loads of laughs which introduces Shakespeare by stealth to middle grade readers. You can read my full review here:
https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...
https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another absolutely hilarious mystery with Will and Tybalt! I loved it from start to finish and would highly recommend to 8+ readers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews