Most people are familiar with the name William Shakespeare, but few young readers have read any of his plays, even in the most summarised form. But that’s okay for they have their whole life ahead to explore the works of Shakespeare. In the meantime, to know more about the man, his times and works, there is an easy to read biography Who Was William Shakespeare? by Celeste Davidson Mannis.

One of the titles of Penguin’s Who Was? series, the book is a good start to get readers interested in Shakespeare’s works when they read about how he started writing and how the events of his time influenced his writings.

And because not much is known about his personal life, the focus here, therefore, is more on Shakespeare the playwright, not the person.

There are lots of extra notes about other famous people and events during that period, such as the black plague, the Spanish Armada and Good Queen Bess, which supplement the biography.

However, it will not be wrong to say that though it is written in a style easily understood readers of the primary classes, there is too much of history that would make it more suitable for older readers who are interested in history or the background of Shakespeare’s works. Therefore, this book is more suited for middle-schoolers who are also starting to read the works of the Bard, as he is also sometimes called.

The illustrations are in black and white and include maps, buildings and scenes from plays.

The book also contains lists of the words and phrases used widely in the English language that we have to thank Shakespeare for, which may come as a pleasant surprise to the readers of today.

If you don’t know who was William Shakespeare, read Who Was William Shakespeare?

Available at Paramount Books

Published in Dawn, Young World September 16th, 2017