Teach Your Child to Love Reading: Graphic Novels Exploring Shakespeare
Do you want to encourage your child to engage in reading?
There’s no better place to start than the Bard himself, king of the UK English curriculum, William Shakespeare. With plotting uncles, epic battles, and maybe even a talking donkey or two, it is clear to see how Shakespeare has captured the hearts of so many.
Below are some fun and practical strategies to help parents of 8-12-year-olds spark interest in Shakespeare, making his works accessible and enjoyable.
Classics in Graphics
Graphic novels like Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth from the Classics in Graphics series are excellent choices for introducing children to Shakespeare. The combination of illustrations and simplified language help familiarise children with key plots, themes, and characters, providing a solid foundation in classic literature.
Manga Shakespeare
Manga Shakespeare is an excellent recommendation for children who enjoy reading manga or watching anime. By using Shakespeare’s original texts, the book series captures the essence of the Bard’s work while presenting it in a style that resonates with young readers. The pictures help bring the emotions out with great clarity and the storytelling is very condensed and clever. My personal favourite is the Romeo and Juliet adaptation that relocates the story to a Tokyo suburb, featuring two katana-wielding rival factions of the Capulets and Montagues.
Horrible Histories – Wicked Words by Terry Deary
This entertaining book from the Horrible Histories series combines humour and history to explore the fascinating origins of language and words. It’s not only entertaining but also educational, making Shakespeare feel more approachable and less intimidating.
From the drama of Hamlet to the whimsical chaos of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s storytelling, which is core to the UK English curriculum, is proof that great narratives have the power to transcend time and culture.
Here at Brandon, we explore Shakespeare’s tales in many of our classes, oftentimes with our teachers getting involved in all the drama! To foster a love of reading, and to get a head start on the study of Shakespeare, learn more about our English courses here.
RT
