(3) 4-6 Illustrated by James Mayhew. Ryan underscores the vitality of story by bringing together seven folktales he believes inspired, at least in part, some of the Bard's greatest plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and King Lear. A brief introduction to each tale touches upon the play's historical, political, and social contexts. Full-page watercolor and pen-and-ink pictures and smaller vignettes illustrate this handsome volume.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Classics series. Illustrated by James Mayhew. Although the background information offered in sidebars and a few double-page spreads--in the series style, with many captioned photographs and pictures--helps establish a context for the classic story, the unattractive artwork detracts from the presentation. The garish colors will not draw children to the fantastic tale about Marie's adventures with the Christmas Nutcracker.

Reviewer: Anne St. John