This summer, I attended the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah, and had a fabulous time! I tried to prepare by reading the shortened versions of the plays in Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb. Watching the plays under the stars, feeling the warm summer air in the Engelstad Theater—a re-creation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London—was magical. The outstanding performances transported me through space and time and into the imaginative world of William Shakespeare. Here are five books that will introduce young readers to the Bard.
Written by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier
London : Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2026. Biography.
This short introduction to the life of William Shakespeare is part of the bestselling series Little People, BIG DREAMS. It highlights important events from his life and milestones in his career with engaging illustrations suitable for younger readers. The book closes with a timeline and artwork of Shakespeare.
Written by William Shakespeare
Edited by Ryan G. Van Cleave
Design and Illustration by David Miles
New York : Moonshower, 2026. Informational. 64 pgs.
This book is a fantastic resource for introducing Shakespeare's poetry in an accessible way. It includes brief commentary, helpful definitions, and reflection questions to guide readers towards gaining more insight with each poem. A nice thing about this compilation is that you can jump around pages and read the poems that grab your attention.
Written by Farah Karim-Cooper
Illustrated by Manjit Thapp
New York : DK Publishing, 2025. Informational.
Written by Folger Shakespeare Library director, Farah Karim-Cooper, this volume gives an overview with additional history, context, and themes for eight of Shakespeare's plays. The author makes an effort to emphasize how Shakespeare's plays are still relevant today and can be enjoyed by everyone, not only academics. It also gives a brief introduction to Shakespeare's life and what it was like to live during Elizabethan times.
By Michael Morpurgo
London : HarperCollins Children's Books, 2023. Informational. 318 pgs.
This compilation is an updated retelling of ten of Shakespeare's best-loved plays in modern language, yet remaining true the original story. An interesting thing about this version is that each story is illustrated by a different person. It is fascinating to see the different styles and interpretations all in one book! Sir Michael Morpurgo is a master storyteller who takes you on his journey into Shakespeare's world and highlights themes of the human condition that have stood the test of time.
Written by Ann Bausum
Illustrated by Marta Sevilla
Atlanta : Peachtree Publishing Company Inc., 2024. Informational. 103 pgs.
This is the outrageous and true story of why we have Shakespeare's plays today, 400 years after his death. If you've ever wondered, "Who created the First Folio?", "How was it made?", "How has it survived all this time?", then this is the book for you! Author, Ann Bausum, weaves an entertaining narrative that is expertly researched and sure to please middle grade readers and junior bards.
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