Romeo and Juliet

by Anna Claybourne

Published 31 March 2006

Romeo and Juliet are in love... but their families are bitter enemies. Set in medieval Vienna, a place of sword fights, secrets and magic potions, their tragic love story plays out to a desperate end. This simple retelling is a brilliant introduction to the work of William Shakespeare for young readers growing in confidence and ability. Includes a guide to the characters and links to recommended websites for children to find out more about Shakespeare and the play.

"Crack reading and make confident and enthusiastic readers with this fantastic reading programme." - Julia Eccleshare


A Midsummer Night's Dream

by Anna Claybourne

Published 9 October 2014
The course of true love never did run smooth...A fairy king, his queen and their servants cause chaos and confusion between four young people in Ancient Greece...Discover the hilarious story at the heart of A Midsummer Night's Dream, one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays. The age-appropriate text in Short, Sharp Shakespeare Stories: A Midsummer Night's Dream introduces readers to the play by re-telling the story in modern English. It's an ideal introduction to Shakespeare for children of 9 and above, and perfect for fans of the Tony Ross and Andrew Matthews series Shakespeare Stories. The book also contains information about the background to A Midsummer Night's Dream, its major themes, language, the Globe theatre, and Shakespeare's life during the time he was writing the play, so is a useful resource for project work, or for anyone studying the play itself. Fairies and fairy folklore in 16th century England are also examined. Anna Claybourne's concise, witty text really brings out the humour and the drama of the stories, rendering them as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare's time.
Comparisons with themes in modern life: love, revenge, family relationships, political power struggles, etc., serve to reinforce this. The text is supported by Tom Morgan-Jones' fantastic artwork, giving the series real visual appeal. Short, Sharp Shakespeare Stories allows children today to be as enthralled by Shakespeare's tales as audiences were 400 years ago. Publishing to coincide with the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, they are the ideal resource for project work connected to this, or to Shakespeare Week 2015. Other titles in the series include Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest and Hamlet.

Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises... A powerful storm, a dramatic shipwreck, an enchanted island, a sorcerer's daughter and a handsome prince... Discover the magical story at the heart of The Tempest, one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays.

The age-appropriate text in Short, Sharp Shakespeare Stories: The Tempest introduces readers to the play by re-telling the story in modern English. It's an ideal introduction to Shakespeare for children of 9 and above, and perfect for fans of the Tony Ross and Andrew Matthews series Shakespeare Stories.

The book also contains information about the background to The Tempest, its major themes, language, the Globe theatre, and Shakespeare's life during the time he was writing the play, so is a useful resource for project work, or for anyone studying the play itself. Magic, and its meaning in 16th century England, are also examined.

Anna Claybourne's concise, witty text really brings out the humour and the drama of the stories, rendering them as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare's time. Comparisons with themes in modern life: love, revenge, family relationships, political power struggles, etc., serve to reinforce this.

The text is supported by Tom Morgan-Jones' fantastic artwork, giving the series real visual appeal.

Short, Sharp Shakespeare Stories allow children today to be as enthralled by Shakespeare's tales as audiences were 400 years ago. Publishing to coincide with the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, they are the ideal resource for project work connected to this, or to Shakespeare Week 2015. Other titles in the series include Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet.


Is this a dagger which I see before me...?

A power-hungry general, his crazed wife, three interfering witches and some terrifying ghosts... Read on, through murder and mayhem, to discover the gripping story of Macbeth, one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies.

Contains information about the background to Macbeth, its major themes, language, and Shakespeare's life during the time he was writing the play. Witches and witchcraft in 16th century England are also examined, to give the context in which the play was written.

The Short, Sharp Shakespeare series consists of six books that retell Shakespeare's most famous plays in modern English. Clever illustrations accompany each title, making them a great introduction to the Bard for children aged 9 and above.


Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio. A murdered king, his haunted son, a wicked stepfather and a doomed romance... Discover the sad tale at the heart of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies.

The age-appropriate text in Short, Sharp Shakespeare Stories: Hamlet introduces readers to the play by re-telling the story in modern English. It's an ideal introduction to Shakespeare for young readers of 9 and above, and perfect for fans of the Tony Ross and Andrew Matthews series Shakespeare Stories.

The book also contains notes about the background to Hamlet, its major themes, language, the Globe theatre, and Shakespeare's life during the time he was writing the play, so is a useful resource for project work, or for anyone studying the play itself. Madness, and how it was treated in 16th century England, are also examined.

Anna Claybourne's concise, witty text really brings out the humour and the drama of the stories, rendering them as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare's time. Comparisons with themes in modern life: love, revenge, family relationships, political power struggles, etc., serve to reinforce this.

The text is supported by Tom Morgan-Jones' fantastic artwork, giving the series real visual appeal.

Short, Sharp Shakespeare Stories allow children today to be as enthralled by Shakespeare's tales as audiences were 400 years ago. Publishing to coincide with the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, they are the ideal resource for project work connected to this, or to Shakespeare Week 2015. Other titles in the series include Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing.


Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps... Mistaken identities, deceipt, lovers' quarrels and a happy ending... discover the entertaining story at the heart of Much Ado About Nothing, one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies.

The age-appropriate text in Short, Sharp Shakespeare Stories: Much Ado About Nothing introduces readers to the play by re-telling the story in modern English. It's an ideal introduction to Shakespeare for children of 9 and above, and perfect for fans of the Tony Ross and Andrew Matthews series Shakespeare Stories.

The book also contains information about the background to Much Ado About Nothing, its major themes, language, the Globe theatre, and Shakespeare's life during the time he was writing the play, so is a useful resource for project work, or for anyone studying the play itself. Gossip, and its role in society in 16th century England, is also examined.

Anna Claybourne's concise, witty text really brings out the humour and the drama of the stories, rendering them as relevant today as they were in Shakespeare's time. Comparisons with themes in modern life: love, revenge, family relationships, political power struggles, etc., serve to reinforce this.

The text is supported by Tom Morgan-Jones' fantastic artwork, giving the series real visual appeal.

Short, Sharp Shakespeare Stories allow children today to be as enthralled by Shakespeare's tales as audiences were 400 years ago. Publishing to coincide with the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, they are an ideal resource for project work connected to this, or to Shakespeare Week 2015. Other titles in the series include Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.


As merry as the day is long.

Mistaken identities, jealous relatives, lovers' quarrels and a happy ending... Discover the entertaining story at the heart of Much Ado About Nothing, one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies.

As well as the story, this audiobook contains information about the background to Much Ado About Nothing, its major themes, language, and Shakespeare's life during the time he was writing the play. Gossip, and its role in society in 16th century England, is also examined, to give some context in which the play was written.

The Short, Sharp Shakespeare series consists of six books that retell Shakespeare's most famous plays in modern English. Fun sound effects and atmospheric music accompany each narration, making them a great introduction to "the Bard" for children.

(P) 2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

The Tempest

by Anna Claybourne

Published 29 June 2023
Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises...

A powerful storm, a dramatic shipwreck, an enchanted island, a sorcerer's daughter and a handsome prince... Listen on, through magic and mystery, to discover the spell-binding story at the heart of The Tempest, one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays.

As well as the story, this audiobook contains information about the background to The Tempest, its major themes, language, and Shakespeare's life during the time he was writing the play. Magic, and its meaning in 16th century England, are also examined, to give some context in which the play was written.

The Short, Sharp Shakespeare series consists of six books that retell Shakespeare's most famous plays in modern English. Fun sound effects and atmospheric music accompany each narration, making them a great introduction to "the Bard" for children.

(P) 2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited