A graphic novel adaptation of one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies. I am loving this adaptations to children because they can enjoy the best of the story (as the main plot and messages remain unchanged) while actually understanding what is going on.

I thoroughly recommend this series to get into Shakespeare's plays.

I really like the books in this collection, they're great for making Shakespeare accessible to younger learners, or to students like mine who speak English as a second language.
I did Twelfth Night at school and went to see it with my students recently too and think this little book makes a great addition to the learning resources available.
I'd love to see online versions of this material., like powerpoints and resources for teachers, if that is something the publishers are interested in doing,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This is a good book for young readers to be exposed to Shakespeare. They will easily understand and enjoy the book. There is also a note for parents/adults to be warned to read the stories with children because the stories have adult themes.

Another great take on a Shakespeare classic for all to understand. A great way for people of all ages and levels to enjoy Shakespeare plays.

I have often thought that it is well past the time for such a series of books as these. Not since Mary Lamb has there been such a nicely written set of Shakespeare s plays. I adore Shakespeare and love this idea. To bring his wonderful writings to children in a truly accessible fashion is very welcome and I commend Ms Newman for a lovely translation of this particular play, one of the best in my opinion. Please get these for your children. Familiarity will prepare them for their higher education. Many thanks to Netgalley, the excellent publishers and Ms. Newman for an exceptional set of works.

I have read this book along with many of Samantha Newman's other 'Shakespeare tales' books. I have always been intrigued by Shakespeare's books but have only ever read Romeo and Juliet and that was about 20 years ago when I was in school. When I came across this book I thought it was a perfect way to get these stories out in the world for those who struggle with classic books. I read this book to my son along with him reading them. Malaki is ten years old and has loved reading these along with myself. Along with being interesting and fun books with great narrations they have all included morals/tales of some sort which Malaki enjoys telling me what the lesson to the story is. A great book and I'm looking forward to reading more of them. My son says that he has enjoyed reading them and it is good that there are books from Shakespeares he is able to read and understand.

** “All true lovers are like this. All they can do is dream about their one true love and beg them to love them back.” **

Sam Newman retells William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” for young readers, a story of jealousy, deception and true love, with illustrations by Ceej Rowland.

Duke Orsino finds himself in love with Countess Olivia, who does not love him in return. Twins Viola and Sebastian are separated after a shipwreck, forcing Viola to pose as a boy in Orsino’s home so she will be safe. As the various band of characters — including Orsino’s cousin Toby and friend Andrew, and Olivia’s maid Maria and steward Malvolio — are drawn into deception and hidden identities, they must all determine who has misguided and unrequited love as well as true love.

Newman does a brilliant job of retelling a classic Shakespeare tale in four short acts in a way readers of all ages will understand and enjoy. The publisher does include a note indicating Shakespeare’s works can contain sensitive themes so adults should read these stories with their children. However, this story isn’t as sensitive as some of Shakespeare’s others.

Five stars out of five.

Arcturus Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

This is an interesting adaptation of Twelfth Night, but I'm not sure who I would consider an appropriate audience. It has pictures, suggesting a middle-grades readership, but the language, plot, and themes seemed too complex for that age group. I found myself confused trying to keep it all straight, so I'm not sure how a 10 year-old would fare. I had the feeling that if a young reader could follow this text they might be able to read the actual play with support. Still, it might be a more accessible introduction or a useful companion text for 7th - 9th grades.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

I really enjoyed Arcturus' series of abridged Sherlock Holmes stories for young readers, so I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Arcturus have launched a series of abridges Shakespeare tales as well. While Charles and Mary Lamb's classic adaptations will always be my number one choice for introducing young readers to the Bard, I will definitely recommend this new series as well!

This is a nice re-telling of Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare's most delightful comedies, which shares the mistaken-identity-driven comic elements of The Comedy of Errors but simultaneously offers a profound reflection on the nature of romantic love. Poor Viola is shipwrecked in a foreign land and thinks her twin brother Sebastian is dead. She disguises herself as a boy named Cesario and starts working for the Duke Orsino. Orsino repeatedly sends her with messages of love to a rich woman named Olivia, who has already rejected Orsino's proposal many times. But this time, Olivia is impressed by this new boy Cesario's wit and demeanour, and before she knows it she is in love with poor Viola's disguised self. Will Olivia manage to woo Olivia for her master Orsino? And what if her brother Sebastian isn't dead after all? And when will she finally be able to reveal her true identity -- and perhaps her heart -- to Orsino? Young readers will enjoy the hilarious scenes and misunderstandings unfolding one after another, and I hope this series will spark children's interest in the wonderful world of Shakespearean drama!

*ARC provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review*

Twelfth night is a somewhat complicated but incredibly enjoyable tale. This version waters it down a lot to make it more easily understandable for children. Nevertheless, it does a decent job at maintaining the important parts of the tale (in my opinion).

This modern retelling of Twelfth Night didn't work for me. I felt it was missing the spirit of Shakespeare, and, thought it could help younger readers understand the story line, wouldn't incite a love of his plays or a desire to read the real thing. I'll stick with my current young reader's editions.

Perfect little retelling of Twelfth Night for kids, full of quirky black and white illustrations that capture the humorous mix-ups and conflicts throughout the story. Viola and Sebastian are twins separated in a shipwreck. Viola dresses as a man (under the name "Cesario") for safety and becomes the servant of Duke Orsino, who is in love with the lady Olivia. Olivia rejects Orsino, but is enamored of "Cesario" when "he" comes to deliver Orsino's messages of love. But Viola herself falls in love with her master Orsino!

To make matters even more complicated, Viola's lost twin brother Sebastian finds himself in the same city as Viola, and they are mistaken for each other. Added to the chaos are characters in Olivia's household -- Malvolio the steward who is tricked into believing that Olivia loves him, Olivia's boorish cousin Sir Toby and Sir Andrew, his inept fool of a friend who is trying to woo Olivia as well. This simple yet powerful rendition of this classic comedy will have kids rolling on the floor with laughter.

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC!

A Shakespeare tale I wasn’t too familiar with before reading this adaptation, it seemed wonderfully adapted from what would be the original and introduced me to the story for the first time.

Twins separated by a shipwreck, Viola stranded and alone dresses up as a boy, her brother, believing him to be dead. She inserts herself into the household of Orsario and is tasked with securing Olivia’s love but only succeeds in drawing her to herself by mistake. Then unfolds a series of unfortunate crossings as Sebastian, her brother returns causing confusion all round. And with some meddlesome servants causing havoc, it makes for a chaotic tale. Perfect set up for a younger reader.

It was an interesting one and I always love the illustrations with these which help soften the stories and blocks of text. Amazing idea to adapt these complex tales for a younger generation.

Shakespeare's Tales: Twelfth Night retold by Samantha Newman

I really enjoy these types of novels. an easy adaption of the classic Shakespeare play, it makes Shakespeare accessible to all.

The main story of Twelfth night is quite complicated and this story does simplify it, Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are ship wreaked and both twins are convinced the other is dead, Viola dresses up as a man and becomes a servant in a noble household and is tasked with delivering love letters to the house next door who falls in love with Viola... but then Sebastian turns up!!

This humorous adaption is faithful to the original play and tells the story in a way that we can all enjoy.

Arcturus Publishing is now giving the Bard’s plays the same treatment it gave to Sherlock Holmes: adaptations that make the material accessible to youngsters. That’s wonderful news.

Samantha Newman does a lovely job simplifying yet another Shakespearean comedy involving confusion with regards to identical twins. In this case, Olivia, disguised as a dude, gets mixed up with her twin brother Sebastian. (It’s the basis for the 2006 Amanda Bynes vehicle She’s the Man.) It’s no spoiler to reveal that, like all Shakespeare’s comedies, the story ends with happy couples and a buffoon properly humbled.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for my copy of Shakespeare's Tales: Twelfth Night by Samantha Newman in exchange for an honest review. It published July 1, 2022.
What a great resource, short and sweet, but in the best possible way! I was very impressed with the readability of this play, and I think it would make a great resource in any classroom, or for any Shakespeare-interested kid. Also, the illustrations are a great touch!

tl;dr
A straightforward and competent illustrated summary of Twelfth Night ideal for very young readers.

Thoughts
Reviewing a book that's a summary of something else is always weird, but abridged versions of things got me into reading early, so I have a soft spot for them. This is also one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, so you know. This book summarizes Twelfth Night in very plain language that's easy to follow, and seems strongly geared towards younger readers. It even manages to untangle some of the complexities of the plot very clearly. Illustrations are numerous, and have all the dramatic flair of stage actors playing for the back row. A good springboard to introduce someone to Shakespeare early.

A brilliant way to get the tales from Shakespeare in to kids reading that isn’t in olde English and that actually makes the story understandable. Can be read by any age. Look forward to the rest in the series