20 Children's Shakespeare Stories Hardback Books Set With Audio Cd's

20 Children’s Shakespeare Stories is a hardback collection of adapted and illustrated retellings from William Shakespeare’s plays. The set includes 20 hardback books, each with a QR code providing access to a free audiobook.

Included titles

• The Winter's Tale
• All's Well That Ends Well
• Antony & Cleopatra
• As You Like It
• The Comedy of Errors
• Cymbeline, King of Britain
• Julius Caesar
• King Lear
• A Midsummer Night's Dream
• Much Ado about Nothing
• Othello
• Romeo & Juliet
• Richard III
• Macbeth
• The Two Gentlemen of Verona
• Timon of Athens
• Twelfth Night
• Hamlet
• The Tempest
• The Taming of the Shrew

Key details

• 20-book collection of adapted and illustrated stories from Shakespeare’s plays
• Hardback format
• Each book includes a QR code for a free audiobook
• Designed as an accessible introduction before reading the original texts

Synopses

The Winter's Tale

Set in Sicily, this comedy follows King Leontes as doubt and jealousy take hold, driving him towards drastic decisions that fracture his family. Spanning sixteen years, the story traces the consequences of his actions and the long path towards reconciliation. First published in 1623, it has been performed worldwide.

All's Well That Ends Well

Helena, the orphaned daughter of a renowned physician, loves Bertram, the son of her guardian, the Countess of Rousillon. When her feelings are not returned, she relies on her intelligence to secure her marriage to him.

Antony & Cleopatra

Set between ancient Rome and Egypt, this tragedy draws on events from Roman history. Antony, a Roman general, is torn between his duty and his love for Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, as love and war collide.

As You Like It

In the Forest of Arden, Rosalind, daughter of an exiled duke, and Orlando, son of one of her father’s courtiers, become caught up in love and mistaken identity. The play is also known for the line, “All the world’s a stage…”

The Comedy of Errors

One of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, this comedy centres on two sets of identical twins separated at birth. Years later, their arrival in the same city triggers escalating confusion as mistaken identities take over.

Cymbeline, King of Britain

A romantic play threaded with war and tragedy, it follows Cymbeline and his daughter, Imogen. After Imogen marries the lowborn Posthumous against her father’s wishes, he is banished and she is held prisoner in the palace, while jealousy, loyalty and the queen’s plots come to light.

Julius Caesar

Set in ancient Rome and based on events from Roman history, this tragedy reveals a conspiracy to murder Caesar. After the assassination, Rome is shaken by tragedy and the conspirators face their downfall.

King Lear

Lear, the ageing King of Britain, plans to divide his kingdom between his three daughters and demands declarations of love. Greed and flattery win favour, while Cordelia’s silence leads to her disownment, setting in motion Lear’s fate after surrendering his power.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Hermia flees into the woods with Lysander, pursued by Demetrius, while Helena follows Demetrius in the hope of winning his love. In the forest they encounter Oberon and Titania, and Puck’s use of love drops creates confusion when both Lysander and Demetrius fall for Helena.

Much Ado about Nothing

In Messina, two pairs of lovers meet at Leonato’s house: Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero. Witty sparring sits alongside plans for marriage, before an unexpected turn leaves Hero and Claudio estranged and Benedick and Beatrice admitting their feelings.

Othello

Othello, a Moorish general, falls in love with Desdemona, daughter of a powerful Venetian senator. Their relationship is tested by mistrust and jealousy, leading ultimately to murder.

Romeo & Juliet

Set in Verona, Italy, this romantic tragedy follows Romeo and Juliet as they fall in love despite the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. They marry in secret, but the hostility between their families overwhelms them and events turn disastrously.

Macbeth

This dark tragedy centres on Macbeth, a Scottish lord, and his wife as they conspire to kill King Duncan. Macbeth takes the throne, but guilt, panic and paranoia consume him and lead him towards doom.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

A romantic comedy about two close friends, Valentine and Proteus, and the strain placed on their friendship when they fall in love. It is believed to be Shakespeare’s first comedy and probably his first play.

Timon of Athens

Timon, a wealthy Athenian, spends lavishly on his friends until his fortune runs out. When he asks for help and is refused, he is filled with hatred for humanity and withdraws to live as a hermit.

Twelfth Night

After a shipwreck, Voila is separated from her identical twin brother, Sebastian, and washed ashore in the Kingdom of Illyria. Mistaken identities and thwarted love shape this comic story.

Hamlet

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns from Wittenberg after his father’s death and discovers an evil plot involving his Uncle Claudius and his mother, Queen Gertrude. The tragedy follows his search for the truth and his pursuit of revenge.

The Tempest

On a remote island, Prospero, the banished Duke of Milan, lives with his daughter Miranda and controls the island’s spirits through magic. With Ariel’s help, he conjures a storm to draw in those who stole his dukedom, as he attempts to restore his and Miranda’s rightful position.

The Taming of the Shrew

In Padua, Katherine, the ill-tempered daughter of a wealthy merchant, is thought unlikely to find a husband. Petruchio, a rich young man, enters her life and brings about a change in her behaviour.

Richard III

This set includes Richard III as an adapted and illustrated retelling from Shakespeare’s plays.

Rackhams Reference : N1DGVXT975