(4) 4-6 Young Reader's Shakespeare series. Illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo. This freely adapted prose retelling of Shakespeare's comedy includes some lines from the actual play. The text focuses on the broadest elements of the tale's humor and emphasizes them with comical fairy-heavy digital illustrations, some awkwardly posed. Short chapters complete the effort to make the work easily understandable to young audiences, though much is lost in terms of language and subtlety.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Young Reader's Shakespeare series. Illustrated by Janet Hamlin. In this solid prose retelling, a victorious Caesar returns to Rome, where some wish to king him and others conspire against him. Many of Shakespeare's original phrases are smoothly incorporated into the story, and short chapters help set a brisk pace. The red- and-gold-hued illustrations, however, are often awkwardly composed. Ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Young Reader's Shakespeare series. Illustrated by Lynne Cannoy. This fast-paced prose retelling of Shakespeare's play preserves much of the original language and dialogue but doesn't hesitate to add explanatory paragraphs or emotional interpretation to the tale (including an unvoiced moment of wistful apology from the dying Macbeth). Angular illustrations executed in a subdued palette add dimension to the book. Ind.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Young Reader's Shakespeare series. Illustrated by Peter Fiore. This well-developed prose retelling of Shakespeare's play maintains all of the central plot elements along with a good deal of the original language. McKeown forefronts clear dialogue and keeps his focus on the emotions that drive the famous plot. The uninspired illustrations, however, do little to provide readers with a window into the characters or their world. Ind.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Young Reader's Shakespeare series. Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport. This accessible prose retelling of one of Shakespeare's best known plays faithfully retains all of the important events and characters of the original play and keeps some of the Bard's most famous lines exactly as he wrote them. For students not ready to tackle the original, this is an able introduction to the brooding prince of Denmark. Paintings in dark tones add atmosphere to the book.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute