Hamlet for a 9 year old.

[Megsdaughter]

DGD is obsessed with the Taylor Swift Song Opheilia, and wants to read Hamlet.

She knows the basic story, but now wants a book.

She read Harry Potter to herself at 6, so reads very well but im not sure she would be able to understand straight Shakesphere.

Is there a childs version? Ive Googled but the only ones Ive seen seem to young.

Do i buy a 'young' one and an origional si sge can compare?

Mine read a cartoon version of Shakespeare plays at that age - I think Michael morpurgo edited them maybe??

The Mel Gibson movie is shorter than the Kenneth Brannagh one. It's not brilliant but it's accessible if the movie option becomes attractive.

Better to watch it than read it. They weren’t designed to be read. If you wanted a summary of the story for before watching it, at that age I like the Charles Lamb Tales from Shakespeare.

I went to see Hamlet at 11. I enjoyed it immensely (it felt very grown up). Now, at least 8 Hamlets down the line the only part of it I remember is the HUGE codpieces the men were wearing!

It's definitely a watch, don't read, thing though

Watch The Lion King!

I would give her the play and see how she gets on.

Will look for a movie then. Not sure what streaming channels they have apart from Prime and Netflix so will see what they have on them.

Thank You

Don’t underestimate her, she might really like reading it. Years ago children read the classics at a much younger age. There were no abridged versions available then! My younger brother is an avid reader and he was reading Oliver Twist at age 8!

These are good.

I would highly recommend Leon Garfield's Shakespeare Stories, which contains Hamlet amongst others.

This graphic novel is also vg https://shop.rsc.org.uk/products/shakespeares-macbeth-a-graphic-novel?srsltid=AfmBOor_Mi1EwUPEbL2xq8cme2JIAmUWgiG_rJkz8H7_AFYUStM5-rnD

Don't look for a movie if she's happy to read it.

I'd ask at your local library, they'll definitely know if there's a suitable version for her.

It’s fine. It’s Shakespeare… I’d read far worse at her age. My mother wasn’t very good at checking what books I got from the library.

Tbh I’d imagine she will find it quite hard to understand anything and she’ll give up. Or it will spark a passion.

Have you ever read a 1960s school Shakespeare? They took out all of the sex and some of the violence - leaving rather shorter plays.

Oliver Twist is much much easier to read and understand than Hamlet… it’s in 18th Century modern English not Early Modern English.

I recommend "Tales from Shakespeare" by Charles and Mary Lamb. It was written in 1807, so still a little bit old-fashioned, but definitely more accessible that the original plays for a 9 year old. It retells Shakespeare's plays in the form of prose fiction and tones down some of the sexual / violent while still remaining true to the original texts. My mother had a copy and I first read some of it when I was about 9. Then I had a chance to perform in my first (abridged) Shakespeare play when I was about 12, which was my first interaction with his actual words. I recommend starting with Lamb, and then if you can, try and find an actual performance of Hamlet, so she can see it on-stage; plays are written for performance, not for reading at home, and they are always much more enjoyable that way.

Wow @nocoolnamesleft I can’t believe you’ve mentioned Charles Lamb. That has made my day. Maybe the first ever shout out on Mumsnet. He is my obsession (& sister Mary). And a fascinating story behind their Tales as well. Even as a super fan though I’m not sure today’s 9 year olds would love it: though there’s a great updated version of his prose version of Hamlet by (as mentioned upthread) Michael Morpurgo who read the Lambs when a child: https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Michael_Morpurgo_s_Tales_from_Shakespear.html?id=ZkqxEAAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y
But I agree with trying her on the original, & just dipping in & seeing how she gets on alongside a good film version. This is a fab version too if you get to see it www.rsc.org.uk/hamlet-hail-to-the-thief/

Some children will be able to read Shakespeare at a young age. I just think you should let the child decide if they have expressed an interest in reading it.

We had a shortened prose version ideal for key stage 2 but I would also recommend the full version at the same time

Completely agree. He uses original speech as part of the story, but obviously cut right down. Stories are told really well - suitable for her age, but well written enough for much older too.

https://amzn.eu/d/cmTVu5a

There is a kids version yes. It's part of a school reading scheme. It's emerald level I think

Also if you are close ish to Stratford, keep an eye out for their family workshops, assuming they still happen, you take part in the morning learning the story then see the full play in the afternoon

wow another reader of Tales @SlowSloth26!! That’s so lovely to hear. You should all join the Charles Lamb Society is what I say.

And put her off forever!

There is a kids version yes. It's part of a school reading scheme. It's emerald level I think

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hamlet-Shakespeare-Story-Andrew-Matthews/dp/1841213403/ref=asc_df_1841213403?mcid=f658c0706bd933b2b570a0d58adf5fba&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697319683328&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7169815693868187458&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046645&hvtargid=pla-454904238621&psc=1&hvocijid=7169815693868187458-1841213403-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1