"Penguin Readers" is a series of simplified novels, film novelizations and original titles that introduce students at all levels to the pleasures of reading in English. Originally designed for teaching English as a foreign language, the series' combination of high interest level and low reading age makes it suitable for both English-speaking teenagers with limited reading skills and students of English as a second language. Many titles in the series also provide access to the pre-20th century literature strands of the National Curriculum English Orders. "Penguin Readers" are graded at seven levels of difficulty, from "Easystarts" with a 200-word vocabulary, to Level 6 (Advanced) with a 3000-word vocabulary. In addition, titles fall into one of three "Contemporary", "Classics" or "Originals". At the end of each book there is a section of enjoyable exercises focusing on vocabulary building, comprehension, discussion and writing. Some titles in the series are available with an accompanying audio cassette, or in a book and cassette pack. Additionally, selected titles have free accompanying "Penguin Readers Factsheets" which provide stimulating exercise material for students, as well as suggestions for teachers on how to exploit the Readers in class.
Charles Lamb was an English essayist with Welsh heritage, best known for his "Essays of Elia" and for the children's book "Tales from Shakespeare", which he produced along with his sister, Mary Lamb (1764–1847).
I read these tales repeatedly as a child, from about the age of 8. I fell in love with the stories, especially The Tempest (naturally, I was Miranda). By the time I saw my first Shakespearean production at the age of 9 (Central Park's Shakespeare in the Park was just starting), I already knew all the stories by heart. Even seeing the title made me feel all nostalgic and happy.
It's not the first time I am reading Shakespeare's tales, therefore without a doubt, I can say that the plot of each of Shakespeare's plays I have read is wonderfully entertaining and easy to understand. In addition, it always captivates your curiosity and you can't stop asking yourself "What's next?" or " Will good win over evil?" This would be an ideal book for people who are passionate about classical fiction and specifically Shakespeare.
"(...) with a deal of such professing stuff, which is easy to counterfeit where there is no real love, only a few fine words delivered with confidence being wanted in that case."
Stories based on Shekspear's great plays: The winter's tale , King lear , Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello and Taming of The Shrew simlified in 80 pages good for new English learners.
The main purpose of the Lamb family to writing this book is simplifying Shakespeare's complicated tale-form stories into plain text so that children and students can understand. But it seemed to me that they have cut some crucial parts of stories without which the story doesn't have a heart. This problem mostly occurred at the last part or the last paragraphs of the story.
I think that King Lear & Othello will be the most memorable stories because they end up with such a tragic events. I have concerns regarding "The Taming of Shrew".
Despite the huge number of modern adaptations, I see a tonne of ideas for new modern stories in this book of concise ideas by the bard. No idea if I will ever execute my ideas though.
It's good to know a brief about Shakespeare stories but it was kind of short that all the plays felt the same; revolving around love, treason and kings' lives!
I really liked it . I always wanted to read more about Shakespeare novels like Helmet and king Lear and ect... So i really enjoyed it so much. can't wait to read more about his novels.
this collection includes stories based on same of shakespeare graetest plays actaully i Especially meet some of this most famous characters in book like Romeo and juliet and i was enjoying in every second and in evering time that i was reading this books and i hope everybody to read it
Absulotly amazing .. I really enjoyed it and I don't feel like I'm in the stage of judging it but this book simplifies Shakespeare works perfectly especially for English beginners .