THE CHILDREN'S SHAKESPEARE

Any attempt to introduce the beauty of Shakespeare to young people should be applauded. This production--based on selections from the 1907 classic BEAUTIFUL STORIES FROM SHAKESPEARE FOR CHILDREN by Edith Nesbit (author of THE RAILWAY CHILDREN)--may be the best starting point. Winner of the 1999 Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for Children, this program includes seven (the package incorrectly states "eight") stories, masterfully adapted from Shakespeare's best-known plays. Linda Hamilton's reading of AS YOU LIKE IT is exceptionally good, as are Robert Davi's interpretation of A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT DREAM and Patrick Macnee's THE WINTER'S TALE. Some of the choices for readers are questionable, as is the use of incessant elevator music running in the background of the entire tape. S.E.S. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 99]