An amazing book that will take readers on a journey to learn the origins of many of the phrases we use today. You will learn about William Shakespeare and the impact he has had on our language! Beautiful illustrations accompany the text. ( )

Will's Words uses a clever device to tell the story of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. As author Jane Sutcliffe winkingly implies in her introduction, it's virtually impossible to write in English without using phrases invented or popularized by Shakespeare. So her account of the Globe is peppered with bold-faced "Shakespearisms," and with each we get a definition of the phrase and an explanation of where it appears in his work. What we don't get are the actual lines in which the phrases appear, an unfortunate omission that must have something to do with copyright restrictions.

Illustrator John Shelley, who knows how to draw a crowd scene, gives us sprawling views of London and the Globe, as well as lively depictions of stage (and backstage) action and enthralled audience members (including Queen Elizabeth I). Back matter includes a bibliography and a timeline covering Shakespeare's birth to the 1623 publication of the First Folio. ( )

Will’s Words is a cute picture book that delves into the history of theater in England, especially looking at how plays were put on when William Shakespeare was writing. On the side, the author takes out some of the phrases and words used in the historical narrative to give more detail about how Shakespeare used them, and in what plays. The particular words and phrases she highlights are ones that either Shakespeare invented or made popular.

I absolutely loved this book. The illustrations are bright and friendly, and it gives an incredibly accurate and interesting narrative about theater and England while still being approachable for new and young readers. I even think that this could be used in a lesson about theater in England, or as a book for students to peruse once they start learning about Shakespeare and his works. I especially love the add-ons in the back that include a timeline of Shakespeare’s life and a bibliography.

Definitely get this for the language-loving kid in your life — it’s a wonderful non-fiction picture book that I will certainly be gifting to baby cousins and nieces and nephews this Christmas.

Also posted on Purple People Readers. ( )

I was an English major so I am biased in favor of this subject. I loved it. This book talks about William Shakespeare's life and what London was like in his time. It also takes "household words" and tells how Shakespeare first used them in his plays and what they meant then and what they mean now. I love that Shakespeare is explained in a simple way so that readers understand what was funny or ironic or interesting in his plays. It ends with a time line and Bibliography. ( )

WILL’S WORDS: HOW WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE CHANGED THE WAY YOU TALK by Jane Sutcliffe is an informational picture book explore the impact of Shakespeare on the English language.

Designed for intermediate grade students, the book begins with a letter from the author explaining that the focus of the book is on Shakespeare’s fascinating words and phrases. This beautifully illustrated picture book immerses readers in the time period, while weaving Shakespeare’s famous words into the narrative. Phrases like “too much of a good thing” and “wild-goose chase” are a couple examples of the many words made famous by this famous playwright. The book features sidebars containing Shakespeare’s words, their meaning, and where they can be found in his work. The book concludes with a second letter from the author, a timeline, and a bibliography.

Librarians will find this book to be a fun and engaging way to introduce young readers to Shakespeare’s world and his love of wordplay. Place the book in a learning center along with other books about Shakespeare, online resources, and a hands-on activity involving his famous phrases.

Learn more about the author at http://www.janesutcliffe.com/.
Learn more about the illustrator at http://www.jshelley.com/.

Published by Charlesbridge on March 22, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher. ( )