“If we can’t all be Shakespeares, it doesn’t make us less in the world; the understanding makes us more.”

“I want your children to be inspired by Shakespeare for the many years to come when they believe that they can do anything as long as they work hard enough at it”.

The above quotes are both from the epilogue, and they both fitting conclusions to an extraordinary book. Ludwig’s love of Shakespeare is evident and he makes us want to learn more and to develop a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s works. I feel myself more knowledgeable in terms of Shakespeareana after having read it.

Personally, I adore Shakespeare.

You can read the rest of this review on my blog. ( )

Ken Ludwig's "How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare" is one part curriculum, one part reflection on the Bard's importance in English-language literature, and one part love letter to theatrical performance. Taken together these parts form a delightful guide to walking children through some of Shakespeare's most important passages and instilling a love for language and the stage. I look forward to using this book with my own kids.

N.B.: I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. ( )

This book is fascinating. I would recommend it as a homeschool curriculum on Shakespeare or to anyone interested in learning/memorizing Shakespeare. The approach to memorization is one I've not seen before, but it worked! This book is sure to increase your enjoyment of Shakespeare, and perhaps poetry in general. ( )

Mr. Ludwig and I share a passion for Shakespeare and a belief that memorization matters. His choices of passages for children are idiosyncratic but not inappropriate. I found the text weighed down, however, with unnecessary fluff while remarkably light on the particulars of practical application. For those seeking an open-and-go approach, this is not it, but it does provide some delicious food for thought. ( )

I received How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program.

Author Ken Ludwig, a successful actor and playwright, presents 25 passages, mostly from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, and Hamlet, for a program of directed memorization. His choices are appealing -- and for those of us who can't get enough, he has listed 60 more speeches in the appendices. But this book is not just a list of citations: Ludwig provides clarifications, context, and personal memories and associations that help bring Shakespeare's words to life.

Ludwig is not shy about his pedagogical strategy: "With Shakespeare, memorizing is the key to everything." (p. 6) I agree that this is a good way to make sure that the student is focusing on the words, and I think he's right to add that an assortment of memorized Shakespeare can be an advantage in, for example, a scholarship interview. Parents who read this book first will be well prepared to help their children understand what they're saying. For example,

And there the snake throws her enameled skin,
Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in.
(A Midsummer Night's Dream, II:1:263-264)

makes more sense if we "note that the word weeds in Shakespeare's time meant garments in addition to unwanted plants." (p. 28)

What's less clear is how to win the willing participation of one's children. I tried this on my own children, who are pretty well academically inclined, but they were anxious to be excused. We had much better success last night, however, on a half-hour car trip, and both kids (11 and 8) memorized Ludwig's first couplet

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows...
(A Midsummer Night's Dream, II:1:257-258)

and were able to repeat it today. I look forward to trying a few more passages in the days to come!