William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Retold for a picture book audience, the Bard’s mischievous take on love run amok in fairyland meets its match in luminous illustrations by Jane Ray.

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber’d here . . .

There’s trouble in the Fairy Kingdom. King Oberon wants to teach Titania, his proud wife, a lesson. Things heat up when four young nobles arrive in the enchanted forest from Athens. They’re all in love—but with the wrong person. It’s up to Puck, a playful sprite who isn’t above a bit of mischief after dark, to do his master’s bidding, trick Queen Titania, and dial down the drama among foolish lovers. With a certain potion at his disposal, what could go wrong? Retold from Puck’s point of view in simple, accessible language, peppered with quotes from Shakespeare’s original play, and brought to life in Jane Ray’s lush, moonlit illustrations, this introduction to the Bard’s most enchanting comedy hints at the richness of his work while being a lovely keepsake edition in its own right.

Shakespeare’s Globe in London is inspired and informed by the unique historic playing conditions of its iconic theaters. Its diverse program of work harnesses the power of performance, cultivates intellectual curiosity, and excites learning to make Shakespeare accessible for all.

Georghia Ellinas, a former English teacher, has focused on working with teachers across the UK and the world for the last thirty years. She has written several books about teaching Shakespeare and, in her role as Head of Learning at Shakespeare's Globe, was responsible for creating programs to make Shakespeare accessible and relevant to children of all ages. She retold Shakespeare’s The Tempest, also illustrated by Jane Ray. Georghia Ellinas lives in the south of England.

Jane Ray, one of the world’s foremost contemporary children’s book illustrators, has been nominated six times for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Her many books include Twelve Days of Christmas, Hummingbird, and The Tempest, also retold by Georghia Ellinas. She lives in London.