Reviews (41)

The Tragedy of the Tragically Unaesthetically Pleasing Review
"The Tragedy of Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare proves to be an amazing read if one thoroughly enjoys the challenge of deciphering the selective form of writing and occasionally complicated dialect. This classic play is based on the true, factual account of the assassination of Julius Caesar as it truly took place in 44 B.C. Of course, Shakespeare has completely made the story his own through the use of comic relief, characterization, and wonderful original composition. Julius Caesar, the ambitious and prideful dictator of Rome, has returned home from a victorious battle against his fellow Triumvirate, Pompey. As he celebrates and relishes his absolute power, little does he suspect the growing opposition of conspirators, some of whom he would never expect. This read is certainly worthwhile if one has a good taste for tragedy and does not mind a challenge.

Great edition of a great play
I really enjoyed reading this edition of the play. Each scene is proceded by a summary of the secene and followed by commentary on the scene, and there are notes alongside the text explaining unusual words/phrases. As an actor, I have been reading Shakespeare for quite awhile, and I still found this book very helpful. If you are new to reading Shakespeare, I particularly recommend this because you will find it very helpful.

Excellent Shakespeare Classic
Shakespeare wrote Julius Caesar in about 1599. The play was the first of three Roman plays. Shakespeare based the source material for the play on a translation of a work by the Greek philosopher and biographer Plutarch, called "The lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans". Shakespeare, like Plutarch, praises and criticises the actions of the main characters in the assassination of Julius Caesar. However, the historical events in the play are fairly accurate, although the playwright sometimes changed the sequence and timing of events and added his limitless imagination to produce a timeless play that has been enacted and enjoyed by millions of people worldwide over the centuries.
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Subjects:  1. Assassination    2. Assassins    3. Book Notes    4. Caesar, Julius    5. Cliff's/ Monarch / Barron's Book Notes    6. Conspiracies    7. Drama    8. Plays    9. Shakespeare    10. Study Guides    11. Drama / Shakespeare    12. Julius Caesar    13. Outlines, syllabi, etc    14. Shakespeare, William   

Reviews (1)

Shakespeare on the danger of messing with prophecy
William Shakespeare's tragedy "Macbeth" was performed at the Globe Theater in 1605-06. The "Scottish" play was a calculated to be pleasing to James I, who took the throne of England after the death of Elizabeth Tudor in 1603. It was not simply that the play was set in the homeland of the Stuarts, but also that when Banquo's royal descendants are envisioned the last of them is the new King. (Note: Shakespeare does a similar sort of tribute to Queen Elizabeth when in the final act of "Henry VIII" the the Archbishop prophesizes great things for the infant Elizabeth. However, not only is there doubt that Shakespeare was the sole author of that particular history, it was not produced until 1612-13, ten years after Elizabeth's death.)
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Subjects:  1. 11th cent.    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Drama    4. Drama (Young Adult)    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. King of Scotland,    7. Macbeth,    8. Plays / Drama    9. Shakespeare    10. Drama / Shakespeare    11. English    12. English literature: Shakespeare criticism    13. English literature: Shakespeare texts    14. Literature/English | Drama | Shakespeare   

Reviews (1)

El mejor libro para hacer teATRO para niños
Este libro, es uno de los m�s importantes para los credores, profesoresy maestros que toienen interes de ahacer teatro con y para los ni�os. Analiza los mas diversos aspectos del tetaro para ni�os, dando una informaci�n ricae importante. Como havrelo, en donde encontrar materiales, propuestasdiversas, fotos, tecnicas, Es importante porque en espa�ol no se puedeebcontrar un material tan rico y especializadoRead more

Subjects:  1. Drama in education    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. Elementary School Creative And Manual Arts    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    8. Drama, theatre, acting    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Study & Teaching    10. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (5)

Not what I thought it would be
I teach drama/theater in a low income public school. I bought the book because my school has very few resources and I thought this might be useful. As it turned out the book was hardly used during my first year teaching. My biggest problem with this book is that it is not very user friendly for a teacher who just wants to add some fun to a class but not a complex game. In other words the book needs to make the games simpler so the kids can pick them up faster and have more fun. This might not be problem for teachers in high school as your students might be more mature and able to handle more complex games. But for middle school teachers tread lightly. Also if you have a bunch of behavior problems in your class then forgot about it. In my experience I found the worse the behavior the better they were at spoiling fun classroom games. Be warned.

Theater Games for the Classroom: A Teacher's Handbook
EXCELLENT!!Inspiring. Well Organized.So many great ideas for the new or seasoned acting teacher.

My bible!
As a teacher of drama to many low-income, urban, and "difficult" adolescents, this is the book that I find most useful, alive, and inspiring!Simply wonderful for anyone trying to bring the best out of young actors! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acting    2. Drama in education    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Educational games    6. Elementary    7. Performing Arts    8. Study and teaching    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    10. Theater - General    11. Drama, theatre, acting    12. Performing Arts / Acting & Auditioning   

Reviews (9)

Great for all ages
I used this book to teach a summer drama class for a local daycare to grades 1st-5th.The kids couldn't get enough!I used this book the whole summer, and it taught them how to work togather, even with their age differences.

very helpful and fun!!
I was actually looking for kids monologue and scene books, but this book caught my attention, because of the good reviews, and I ordered it as well.It is fantastic!!Some old favourite theatre games I'd forgoten and lots of new fun ones!!Also curriculum ideas for classes beyond theatre games.I can't wait to teach my class today using these new tools!I'll be using this book for along time.

Well written - highly interactive for all ages
Great Book...well written, easy to follow exercises!Lisa Bany-Winters has written a highly comprehensive and interactive book packed full of theater exercises with great tips for additions to each exercise.This book is terrific for elementary school teachers, camp activity leaders, children's parties and of course, children's drama instructors.I highly recommend this book to anyone who knows a wanna-be star! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children's plays, American    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Drama in education    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Performing Arts - Theater    7. Play    8. Plays    9. Sports & Recreation - Games - General    10. Drama, theatre, acting    11. Hobbies, quizzes & games    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Performing Arts / Theater   

Reviews (11)

Amazing Grace
I liked this story because Grace can be Peter Pan if she put her mind to it.My favorite part is after the ballet.I would recommend this book to a friend because its about your imaginery.The book is amazing.
Amazing Grace
This is a great story with a great message.It tells children there are no limits to what they can be.It tells children not to be deterred by sterotypes or opinions.You can be anything you set your mind to.I bought copies for both my son and my niece.

What a teaching tool!!!
Do you need a book that confronts racism, appreciates theater, and shatters stereotypes on a primary level?If so, Amazing Grace, by Mary Hoffman, is the book for you.Not only does this book cover the above topics, but is also highlights on key items for younger readers, such as reading about individual achievements and moral dilemmas.
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Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Blacks    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Fiction    7. Identity    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Literature    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Performing Arts - Drama    12. Performing Arts - General    13. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    14. Social Situations - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    15. Theater    16. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

A Great Resource
Aaron Shepard is a generous contributor to the field of Reader's Theatre. This book is no exception. It's well-laid out and chock-full of interesting scripts. I've recommended to several folks interested in RT.

Clear and Helpful
This book was written in clear language. It was helpful to me as a novice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American    2. Children's plays, American    3. Collections    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Plays    7. Readers    8. Readers' theater    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    10. Theater - General    11. Drama-American    12. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    13. English    14. English language: reading skills    15. English literature: plays for children    16. Juvenile Nonfiction    17. Drama   

Editorial Review

Mozart's last opera, the simultaneously comic and serious fairy tale Read more

Reviews (21)

The Definitive Magic Flute
I'm usually dismissive of most Die Zauberflotes because I find the overall quality of the singers and recording lacking.Then I came upon this recording...I have to say that it is simply the most amazing Die Zauberflote I've ever heard!The orchestrations to the singers to the conductor himself...everything is mind-blowing!I'm not a Mozart person, but if I really like a recording of his I will buy it.This is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the Flute, especially since there is such a wonderful introduction accompanying this extremely famous opera.And the Queen of the Night-Edda Moser!!!Amazing!Simply amazing!No other Queen has conveyed that much drama into her singing.This is the Flute.I would suggest Marriner's version if I hadn't seen this one, but then here is a Flute with all the greats in it!Get it now!

A great way to learn about opera, suitable for young or old.
I received this as a gift from a mislead but well-meaning relative. Needless to say, I have never been a fan of opera. However, I was surprised that I was actually able to enjoy this book and accompanying CD. The book begins with a brief biography of Mozart, and then offers a prose overview of the story (extremely helpful for understanding!). The second half of the book contains the libretto, or text, of the opera. The original German forms one column on the left-hand side of each page, and the English translation is printed on the right. This way one can follow along with the story while listening to the music, even if you don't know a word of German. Throughout the entire book there are pictures from different stage performances of The Magic Flute. The musical recording is of high quality, contained on two disks that fit into pockets on the inside front and back cover of the book. Wonderful story-telling
P. Craig Russell's drawing style seems especially apt for stories of enchanted lands and beings. His lines are light and airy, and he sets a mood nicely with color. In other words, he is ideally suited to illustrate this story.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1756-1791    2. Audio: Juvenile    3. Children's 9-12 - Music    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Genres & Styles - Opera    6. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus,    7. Music    8. Music - Classical    9. Opera    10. Operas    11. Stories, plots, etc    12. Zauberflote    13. Drama, theatre, acting    14. Fairy tales, folk tales, fables, magical tales & traditional stories    15. Fantasy    16. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus    17. Non-Classifiable    18. Science fiction    19. Zauberflöte   

Reviews (7)

Great, even for younger kids!
I have the Indigo Dreams CD which I use in my psychotherapy practice with younger children. Many of them really enjoy the stories and have been helped with calming for bedtime.However I was excited to try using the Indigo Teen Dreams with some of my younger kids who really needed to know how to specifically practice the Relaxation techniques in order to apply them to other times of increased stress. I have been working with two bright 8 year old girls that have loved adding this CD to their options when feeling stressed or having difficulty sleeping.THANKS!!

Indigo Teen Dreams: Diversity at it's Best
I am a psychiatric social worker who purchased "Indigo Teen Dreams" for our unit. We have utilized this wonderful CD on a twice weekly basis as part of our relaxation curriculum. We have a very diverse population of adolescents ranging from kids who are moderately depressed or highly anxious to severely behaviorally and emotionally disturbed. This CD has reached teens across the board and given them the initial realization that they do have some control over their bodies and how they choose to respond to situations and stressors. I applaud "Indigo Teen Dreams" CD for its usefulness in everyday life in supporting teens with many diverse needs and challenging issues to find a better way to deal with their stressors.

Indigo Teen Dreams- A Wonderful Relaxer
I'm a very tense person by nature and I get anxious easily, which sometimes disturbs my sleep. Recently, I had a difficult time falling asleep because I was worrying about college and such. I put on Indigo Teen Dreams and almost instantly felt more at ease. The visualizations and images are wonderfully relaxing. The meditation really allowed me to focus in on myself and forget the world around me. And the deep breathing track is something that everyone should do, learning how to deep breathe can make a world of a difference, as I found out. I put the CD on my i-pod and listen to it whenever I need to relax. It's made my overall mood better and I'm happy to have found something that makes me feel better. I do a lot of theatre and once the school year starts up, I plan to use the techniques to focus and relax myself before an audition. These techniques I can carry with me and use forever; I would strongly recommend it to any teen, I think everyone can benefit from it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Affirmations    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Drama    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile literature    6. Meditations    7. Stress management    8. Body & health    9. Emotions & feelings    10. Miscellaneous    11. New Age   

Reviews (91)

Deception and Treachery
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a dramatist whose genius is universally acknowledged, with a reputation as an actor, playwright and poet. He lived in an age of vast and significant changes characterised by the rise of the middle class and of a centralised government and the disappearance of medieval religious beliefs. England was transforming into a modern state. This was a time when self-realisation, self-respect and boldness of thought and action was idealised. Shakespeare's drama merely reflected the dramatic times of the age.
Yale's may be the best edition of Macbeth
Virtually all editions of Macbeth will have at least some annotations. Rummaging through five different editions, I preferred the Yale University Press version, edited by Burton Raffel, as having the most comprehensive and comprehensible notes, as well as an excellent introduction to Shakespeare's play. Raffel not only explains the meanings of obscure words, but also gives brief notes pertaining to relevant history, geography, stage directions, etc, that are rarely addressed as fully by other editors. In addition, Raffel frequently gives the proper way to stress the syllables in a line when reading it aloud, which can be extremely helpful. (However, in most places these stresses need to be very subtle, so that you don't sound like "taDUM taDUM taDUM".) And Yale's page layout is among the clearest that I've seen.
Shakespeare's Darkest Play
In a sense, Shakespeare treaded on Gothic elements in his play Macbeth, which premiered after Queen Elizabeth had died and King James, who had heritage in Scotland, became the new King of England. James knew about his infamous ancestor Macbeth and commissioned the Bard to write a thrilling work of theatre which recounted the historic tale of Macbeth. There really was a Macbeth, but much of the story is fictional, save for the names of people and places. Macbeth is Shakespeare's darkest tragedy. On the New Folgers Library Edition, we are treated to the very best of scholarly information regarding the creation of the play, and the political and theatrical world of Shakespeare's day. This is the best printed version of Macbeth you will find today. And for this reader, it is a play perfect for this Halloween season. The plot, without giving much of it away in a summary, is quite simple but powerful in its impact. In Medieval England, the minor nobleman Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth plot to murder the current king of Scotland. Their ambitions are spurred when three mysterious witches foretell their success. However, as Macbeth maintains power, he becomes fearful of losing it. He orders the deaths of allies and friends out of insecurity. Eventually his own ambition becomes his downfall and a new king arises. Since its premiere, Macbeth has been rumored to be "cursed". Throughout the years, including the twentieth century, reports of accidents and even deaths have circulated involving certain productions of Macbeth. The elements in the play are dark and quintessentially Gothic- flying daggers, constant darkness and fog, ghosts, witches, apparitions including dead kings and bloody children. In the 19th century this would encompass the material of Gothic literature but in Shakespeare's time it was part of thrilling drama. Supernatural beings like ghosts were featured in other Shakespeare tragedies -Hamlet and Julius Caesar for instance. The belief in witches was prevalent in Puritan/Protestant/Catholic England, after all this was still the time of the Inquisition. So the featured Three Witches would have actually been regarded as a true part of history even. This play has many fine moments. All of Macbeth's quotes are memorable but especially his "Out, Out Brief Candle! Life is but a walking shadow..." The role of Lady Macbeth, if played well, can be the signature role of many actresses. She is Shakespeare's most evil creations. She drives Macbeth to murder because she is perhaps even more ambitious than him. Her being a female is her only setback. But she is an empowered and vile woman, even regarded as something of a witch herself. The play inspired several film versions including director Roman Polanski's version in 1971 and in the 19th century an opera by Verdi.
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Subjects:  1. 11th cent    2. 11th cent.    3. Cartoons and comics    4. Classics    5. Drama    6. King of Scotland,    7. Literature: Classics    8. Macbeth,    9. Plays    10. Plays / Drama    11. Scotland    12. Shakespeare    13. Macbeth   

Editorial Review

Everybody's favorite sass-mouth first grader comes back for her 23rd installment in this popular series . This time around, Junie B. fends off a stomach virus and earns a starring role in the Parent's Night play. The action starts with a bang--or rather, a "SPLAT-O!"--as one of Junie B's classmates falls victim to a stomach virus right there in class: "It was the disgustingest thing I ever saw. Also, the odor was not delightful." But only after everyone improvises their own virus defenses ("We held our noses tight with our fingers. And we didn't breathe for the whole rest of the morning") does the real excitement in Room One begin. Poor, put-upon Mr. Scary has planned a special event for Parent's Night--a play about Christopher Columbus. Junie B. lands a plum role ("I want to be the Pinta! Cause the Pinta was the fastest ship! And the fastest ship is the winner ship. And the winner ship is the Read more

Reviews (15)

This is a great book!It is EXCELLENT!!
This book is about Junie B. Jones and a play.Junie is a ship in the play.The play was about Christopher Columbus and Junie says he didn't discover America.Read the rest of the book to find out what happens!

Confusing - in a good way!
I think that junie B. Jones realy made it sound like she was going to be the star of the play! But then everything turned around,when her part was picked she thought she got a dumb old boat. And then William sneezed in the middle of the show.It was confusing because too many things were going on!

Junie B., First Grader Shipwrecked
I teach first grade so Junie B. is a fan of all of us.I just finished reading Shipwrecked, the newest Junie B. book in the series.This series continues to be entertaining for both my students and myself.The author does an outstanding job of placing everyday children's issues in an exciting way.These books have made my students realize the importance of helping each other and thinking of others needs before their own.In Shipwrecked it covers the topics of germs, sharing, and teamwork in a way that everyone can enjoy and learn from.I will continue to read Junie B for years to come and enjoy reading the new books as they are published. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Columbus Day    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Park, Barbara    10. Performing Arts - Drama    11. School & Education    12. Schools    13. Sick    14. Social Issues - Adolescence    15. Theater    16. Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women   

Reviews (4)

Midsummers Night's Dream
This book was great. I was unsure of how to introduce my children to Shakespeare.These books are the key. Midsummer Night's Dream is such a funny story. Well done.

A Magical and Cheerful Story
When I read, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", I thought it was a very happy story. The story takes place in Athens, Greece and the king is about to become engaged to a queen. The story is about love and many magical events. I think "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is an extremely happy and cheerful story and I recommend it to other people.

Stop Kidding Yourselves
Retelling Shakespeare's stories is a valid activity. (Shakespeare after all retold others' stories when he wrote his plays.) Telling kids that they're learning Shakespeare when their taught retellings of the stories in his plays, however, isa terrible practice and should be avoided at all costs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1564-1616    2. Adaptations    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Drama    6. General    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Plays    10. Shakespeare, William,    11. English literature: Shakespeare texts    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Drama   

Reviews (22)

Dancin and Singin in the streets
I liked the movie.I admit, yes this teen, has a soundtrack of west side story.I found the movie very funny when the guys where singing and dancing but admittedly I cried at the end.This story was very good.

A logical pairing of 2 great theatrical works
This is two books in one: the text of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Romeo and Juliet" and the text of "West Side Story," the 20th century musical with a book by Arthur Laurents and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The book also includes an introduction by Norris Houghton, who notes, among other things, that WSS is based on R&J. Each text tells the story of a love affair between a young woman and a young man who are caught between warring factions. Jeany's review
Romeo & JulietRead more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Classics    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Performing Arts - Theater    5. Plays / Drama    6. Shakespeare    7. Juvenile Fiction / Performing Arts   

Reviews (3)

My kids love these books!
I have 2 sons, ages 9 and 11, and they both love Lois Burdett's Shakespeare books!These books make the story lines accessible while providing the flavor of Shakespeare through the wonderful rhyming couplets.I first used one of these books to "preview" the story of MacBeth to my younger son, who was going to be in a children's musical production of the story.He loved the book and often asks me to reread it to him, and we have since acquired several other of the Burdett titles. My sons also enjoy the whimsical illustrations and sidebars done by the children.

Excellent Introduction to Shakespeare
I am a third grade teacher on Long Island. Last year I introduced three of Willaim Shakespeare's plays into our classroom. My children loved Macbeth. We studied Macbeth, The Tempest and Hamlet. The way Mrs. Burdett wrote in rhyming couplets really made the reading enjoyable! I plan on using her books throughout my teaching career. Thank you Lois Burdett! Shakespeare can be fun thanks to you. Macbeth For Kids:ShakespeareCan Be Fun
What a wonderful way to introduce Shakespeare to children!I used this book as a third grade teacher to teach inner city kids about Macbeth.It was amazing to hear the students discussing all of the characters and theiractions. They were proud of themselves for learning about Shakespeare"like high school kids."If you make it fun, they will have fun! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 11th cent.    2. 1564-1616    3. Adaptations    4. Children's 9-12 - Plays / Drama    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    6. Children: Grades 3-4    7. Drama    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile drama    10. King of Scotland,    11. Literary Criticism & Collections    12. Macbeth,    13. Plays    14. Shakespeare, William,    15. English literature: Shakespeare criticism    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / Drama   

Reviews (3)

Good book
The person who received this book as a gift loves the plays in it for their class.

great theatre resource, plays fun just to read too
Coleman A. Jennings was a professor of mine at the University of Texas at Austin, and this collection was a required textbook for his class. Instead of selling back the book when the semester was over, I kept it, because the plays are such good ones. As the Booklist review says, the anthology includes original plays as well as adaptations of well-known folk and fairy tales. Pretty Good
This book has many different and interesting plays for kids of all ages. Though, for most of them you need a lot of people, they are still pretty good. Thats why I give it 4 stars. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American    2. Anthologies (multiple authors)    3. Children's plays    4. Children's plays, American    5. Collections    6. Drama    7. Juvenile Literature    8. Performing Arts - Theater    9. Play Production    10. Plays    11. Plays / Drama    12. Performing Arts / Theater / General   

Reviews (3)

Very usable - great resource!
You will use this book over and over. I teach gifted upper elementary and middle school drama students. This book is one of my favorites - it is likely to be one of yours too.

101 Drama Games is excellent!!!
101 Drama Games for Children is a really excellent book! I highly recommend it for all parents and older children to buy if you deal with children in any way. I teach a drama class of 5-7 yr olds in our homeschool group and it's been a real lifesaver for me! I also have 3 children and I use it with them too. I consider it a must-have book! It's catagorized by the different age levels by a little picture in each corner of each new activity so you can flip through and find a game for the age group you need. It's excellent for birthday parties, or any group games: camps, Girl Scouts, etc. I highly recommend every parent get one of these books! B.J.O.

Great Resource
I teach theatre classes for kids from age 3.5 to 18 and thisbook is one of the few I've seen that gives a good number of ideas foreach age group, and it gives you an idea of which games are age appropriate.This is a valuable tool that I would recommend to anyone who teaches, or just those who are stay-at-home parents who need new ideas for playing with their kids in creative and dramatic ways. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 2-3    2. Drama    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Games    5. General    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Workbooks    7. Drama, theatre, acting    8. Hobbies, quizzes & games   

Reviews (1)

Invaluable Tool
Structuring Drama Work is both a deliciously practical and a tacitly theoretical handbook for teachers/leaders of drama.This is no small feat for a book that is only eighty-four pages in length.Neeland's book deftlyexamines the infinitely important notion of the structures and conventionsused when teaching, facilitating andlearning through theatre/drama; whileit concurrently argues for the need for flexibility when designing for andworking with students of theatre/drama. David Booth sums up the conceptof theatre explored in this book when he describes the author's view oftheatre as, "a meaning-making endeavour that interprets life and helpsus to understand our world" (P.1).The strength of this book is thatit does not get bogged down by such an ambiguous or esoteric definition;rather, it uses this definition to elucidate the potential power of dramain each of the lives of those who choose to suspend their disbeliefs (P.72)and participate in the collective endeavour of theatre. Most of thebook is a compilation of current conventions applied in drama/theatre andused to enhance the educative process of expressing the world throughsymbolic form.Context-building, narrative, poetic and reflectiveconventions are explored in detail; they range from simple games to tableauto complex conventions like whole-group role-playing.Rather than focus onexamples ad infinitum, Neeland focuses on the description, culturalconnections and learning opportunities of each convention.This is wherethe power of the book is located; teachers, rather than just mimicking rote exercises, are given the reasons for the use of the convention andappropriate times to employ it.This fulfills an absolute requirement ofteaching: the ability to answer the students' legitimate question of"Why are we doing this?!?". On page seventy-nine there is adiagram that clearly illustrates the purpose of the conventions described. My initial response was that I would give this diagram to my students;however, on page eighty-two Neeland writes, "To be too definite andclear about the intentions and focus of thework in advance is to deny thestudents the power and experience of being artists."Neeland isarguing here that the power of the Gestalt or "Aha!" component oflearning should not be too quickly dismissed.My feeling now is that Iwould let the needs of the group I was working with dictate whether or notto reveal the purpose of the unit to them.I believe this is in line withNeeland's tacit theory, that the needs of the group supersedes the needs ofthe program or the teacher.The teachers who employs Neeland's methods,over time, will likely learn to wed teaching the conventional structures ofdrama to the spontaneous needs of the students. Neeland's adoption ofthe female form of the third person pronoun and his use of the term"teacher/leader" demonstrates, I believe, his implicit subversionof the current pedagogical patriarchal paradigm.Neeland appears to beundermining the role of the teacher as the repository of Truth.Hisexamples are wonderfully open-ended and he appears to be encouragingteachers to employ both conventions and there own examples according to theneeds of the students.His theoretical approach can be glimpsed throughinstructions like, "... whereas well-researched context-building actionand the controlled pace of reflective action may produce challenges toassumptions and prejudices." (P.74). This is an invaluable bookboth as an easy to use reference of theatrical/dramaticconventions and asa reminder of the endless and fruitful possibilities of learning throughtheatre. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Drama in education    3. Education    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    6. Drama, theatre, acting    7. Literary Criticism / Drama    8. Theatre, drama   

Reviews (3)

Excellent book.
We received I am a mannatee in a cherios cereal box and because both our children liked it so much decided to take a look at other books from John Lithgow. This one is also excellent reading even for the youngest due to the rythim of the story and the very detailed illustrations. Music CD included is an added bonus.

The Best Yet
This is just a terrific children's book and John Lithgow does an amazing rendition of it on the included CD.My children (almost 3 and almost 5) just love it.They laugh and sing along and have the most fun with this book.
We just LOVE Marsupial Sue!
When I learned there was a new "Marsupial Sue" book out I knew I had to get it for my daughter's fourth birthday.The original "Marsupial Sue" is now tattered and taped from many fun-filled readings.After perusing the reviews I was hesitant to order the book because the critics thought it might be confusing for small children.Not so!My kids (2.5 and 4) are asking to read it over and over.They are not confused at all about the characters' costumes and they picked up on the rhyme immediately.We're now laughing about the costumes the animals put together and singing "No No No No No" joyously!Thanks Mr. Lithgow for more great memories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Australia    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 2-3    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Performing Arts - Drama    12. Performing Arts - General    13. Preschool Picture Story Books    14. Theater    15. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Editorial Review

Sharon Creech explores the hopes and longings of an introspective middle child from a boisterous Italian clan in this humorous, character-driven novel. Leo's family calls him "Sardine" because the quiet twelve year old often finds himself sandwiched between his more outgoing siblings. One rainy day in the attic, he discovers his father's teenage journal. In it, he reads that his careworn parent used to dream of being a dancer, a writer, a famous athlete, just like Leo! He also discovers a photo of his father's family that includes an unfamiliar girl in the background. Could it be the mysterious Aunt Rosaria no one speaks of? As he tries to untangle this family mystery, he is also preparing for his school play--a tale of an old man whose life is revived by weaving his childhood memories into stories for his neighbors. How can Leo convince his father that, like the old man in the play, he needs to talk about Rosaria to heal the hole she left in his life? Through the parallel dramas of the play and his chaotic home life, Leo begins to understand the importance of stories and our need to share them, whether they are treasured memories or future dreams. Creech includes the full text of the play, Read more

Reviews (11)

It's Wonderful!
No one could ever hate Sharon Creech's books. They're the best in the world!

Not the best...
The main thing I didn't like was the sentences. Mostly every sentence was 'Leo said', 'Leo did', basicaly, it was choppy at best.
the book about a boy
Replay is a very entertaining book to read. this bok is mainly about a young boy "Leo" that is trying out for the school play and is hopeing to get the leadpart of rumpopo. instead he got the part of the old crone(old lady). Leo does not want to be an old lady in his schoolplay. but one day he was rooting around up in his attic and he finds his dads journal from when he was a kid.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Conduct of life    5. Family - General    6. Family - Multigenerational    7. Family - Parents    8. Family life    9. Fathers and sons    10. Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Performing Arts - Drama    13. Performing Arts - General    14. School & Education    15. Social Issues - General    16. Social Situations - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    17. Theater    18. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Multigenerational   

Reviews (14)

Good quick read
I thought this play was an entertaining quick read.It was certainly different.I'll admit I bought the book because of the title and cover art.This play wasn't life changing or a play I'll treasure for ever but since it IS, as I've said, a quick read and entertaining: it's worth giving it a try!Most importantly, it isn't your run of the mill play about a family.It certainly is unique.

Question about the book .
Well , I have read the book . To me its quite interesting . ?But I don't really understand about the book . But i want to know who is the girl on the cover page of the book(The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds) .
Sublime Experiments in Mutation
I see this as a play about the power of hatred and pain versus the power of awe and wonder. In each individual there is a struggle between the two, particularly Beatrice, the mother of Tillie (aka Matilda) and Ruth. The love and trauma of family is especially harsh because the effects are the deepest. In this play, about a mother and her two daughters, the spectre of family life is exposed as dangerous and hurtful, despite a natural inclination against such negativity. In that confusing place resides the plays sublime nature, whereyouthful spiritual proclivity battles angst filled self hating adulthood. Simply written, possible to be read in an hour, "The Effects" are moving. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Drama    5. Family - General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    8. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    9. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General