My thanks to Arcturus Publishing for a digital review copy via NetGalley of ‘Shakespeare's Tales: Love's Labour's Lost’ retold by Samantha Newman and illustrated by Ceej Rowland. My apologies for the late feedback.

This is part of a series of Shakespeare’s plays retold and adapted for younger readers aged 7+. Still, even as an older reader I found it an accessible introduction to the text of the play.

The central premise of the ‘Love Labour’s Lost’ is that King Ferdinand of Navarre has decided to ban ladies from his court for three years so that he and his friends can focus on their studies of philosophy and the like.

Yet when the Princess of France arrives to discuss the return of Aquitaine to France it presents him with a challenge. The oaths made by the King and his friends don’t have a chance when they meet the fair ladies.

As this is one of Shakespeare’s comedies, it does make for light reading, so I felt that there were no particularly troubling themes.

Yet the publishers still have prefaced the story with a note to parents advising that while the play has been adapted with a younger readership in mind, that there might be more mature themes. They suggest that it is best to read the tale aloud with a trusted adult, who can address any concerns that are brought up by the narrative.

Overall, I found this a lively retelling of this classic play and also appreciated the charming illustrations by Ceej Rowland.

I’m going to be honest, I loathed learning Shakespeare at school because I could never get to grips with the language, I also wasn’t particularly familiar with this play so I couldn’t wait to pick it up!

I love how this simplifies the play without making it too simple. The language is easy to understand and it makes the play easy to follow as well as the humour easy to pick up on while the illustrations add to the story perfectly!

I think this is going to be a great series that’ll help children to read Shakespeare and to find an interest in the plays rather than struggling with the original and giving up!

Ridiculousness ensues when the King Ferdinand decrees that in order to devote themselves to serious study, he and anyone who signs his paper will agree to study and forgo all female companionship to the extent that they will not even speak to a woman.

Immediately, problems ensure when Princess Rosaline arrives to petition for her lands back. The King and his friends all end up falling for various women in Rosaline's party, and have to figure out a way to declare their feelings without seeing or speaking to the women, i.e., breaking their vows.

The women are amused and want to test the men's devotion to them. The women decide to trick the men by swapping outfits; the men end up confused. When everyone finally confesses to the objects of their affection, everyone decides to reconvene in a year to see if their feelings are real for each other.

The story is told well, and the illustrations are amusing. The retelling lacks a bit of energy, but that's always the case when I read Shakespeare, whose works really need to be watched to enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Arcturus Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Great simplified version of the classic play. Really useful for my English class.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book.

Cute little retelling of Love's Labors Lost for kids, full of quirky black and white illustrations. The plot is a very lighthearted one involving a king and his friends falling in love with a princess and her friends, in spite of their solemn vow not to see any women for 3 years.

Interestingly, the ending is left open. Unlike most comedies where everyone gets married and lives happily ever after, no one ends up married just yet. The men must spend a year proving themselves and earning the love of the women first, which adds a touch of realism that is not often found in books meant for children.

Thanks Netgalley for this ARC!

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 very nice re-telling of Love's Labours Lost, one of Shakespeare's lesser-known comedies. King Ferdinand of Navarre and his three friends swear to spend three years as scholars, without the distractions of worldly pleasures and the company of women. But when the princess of France and her ladies turn up at the court of Navarre for political negotiations, the young king and his companions are smitten by the princess and her friends. Can they remain true to their original oath, or will they succumb to the pangs of love? Young readers will enjoy the comic scenes such as the one where the prince and his friends spy on each other as they each profess their love to one of the French ladies. I hope this series will spark children's interest in the wonderful world of Shakespearean drama!

: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I am going to look out for other Shakespeare's tales from now on.

The story was very middle grade friendly and a good introduction to the works of William Shakespear.
I would have this book in a classroom and recommend it .

The publisher of this title is now turning attention to Shakespeare in a series of titles for young readers. There will be sixteen in all. Hopefully these retellings will inspire kids to enjoy Shakespeare and to later move on to the originals.

Here, the play is the comedy, Love’s Labour’s Lost. The story is told in prose and is illustrated. The essence of the story is definitely here. It begins with Ferdinand wanting to form an academy with friends. Their goal is to study for three years and NOT to fall in love or have contact with the opposite sex. How will that go? Adults may remember but kids may enjoy finding out.

This title provides a good introduction to the bard. It is geared towards children seven and older according to the publisher.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

These stories, retold for children, are just brilliant!

And I know I’m not a child, but as an adult, I can really appreciate these too, as a way for bringing back Shakespeare from the stuffy classics most struggle to engage with, into a fun and pleasant reading experience! Which I think is perfect for young readers (and even adults wanting to brush up on their Shakespeare and re-familiarise themselves with some of Shakespeares tales).

Told and adapted in a great way that still relays the original, with some lovely illustrations and a quick read, It’s a perfect intro to Shakespeare or just a great retelling of Love Labours Lost.

I love this story, as a law decrees the distancing from all women for three years, and the king, amongst his other men, then fall like dominoes in forbidden love and aim to hide the secret. It makes for great reading and is a wonderful addition to a series of Shakespeare’s tales retold for younger readers.

** “Everything we do will be about our minds and learning.” **

Sam Newman retells Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” for young readers, with illustrations by Ceej Rowland.

The Kingdom of Navarre was ruled by young King Ferdinand, who was determined to be wise, so he and his three friends decide to study for three years, forsaking all women during that time.

But when each man finds himself falling in love with a woman, they must act in secret to communicate with their beloved. What follows is a humorous attempt at each man trying to get out of their vows to forsake women, and find their true love.

Told in five short acts, the author does a good job of retelling a classic Shakespeare tale 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.

Five stars out of five.

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