The Story of a Young Actor in Shakespeare’s London

Written and Illustrated by Christina Balit

At a time when boy actors played female roles, a street orphan becomes a Globe Theatre star in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Jack is an orphan earning a few pennies as a street singer. Snatched up by a greedy chorus master, he sings before Queen Elizabeth I, where his beautiful voice attracts William Shakespeare. At the Globe Theatre Jack learns all the arts of staging and performing. And when the great playwright needs a special boy to play Queen Titania in his magical new play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will Jack be up to the challenge?

This book brings the whole scene of Shakespeare’s England come alive. Through the eyes of a young boy, Jack who starts work at the Globe Theatre and then goes to sing as Queen Titania in Midsummer Night’s Dream. When Queen Elizabeth said, “Deliver this Jack, to the Globe” he was on his way to a new chance in life.

A wonderful introduction to Shakespeare and the time of Queen Elizabeth the First.

Stunningly written and illustrated by Christina Balit, who has written and illustrated over 20 books for children. She uses a variety of materials including water colours, gouache and gold inks.

Otter-Barry Books are the publishers of this beautiful and engaging book for all ages.

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist

Packed with over 300 species of bird, this beautiful encyclopedia will take you on an incredible journey through the world of birds, helping you find out about the amazing feathered creatures that share our planet. From tropical parrots and toucans to sea birds and eagles, find out all about birds with this informative first guide and reference book.

Handsome enough to treasure in a beloved home library and thorough and rigorous enough to be returned to in the classroom or school library again and again. A perfect reference book and companion for families to look at after long walks or while spotting things in the garden. This is just the thing to help children decode the skies and hedgerows aflutter with feathered wildlife.

Jules Howard is the author, zoology correspondent, and science presenter. As well as writing regularly for The Guardian and BBC Wildlife Magazine, Jules appears regularly on TV and radio, including BBC Breakfast. He has written numerous books for both adults and children on the natural world. 

Namasri Niumim was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, and graduated from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, in the School of Architecture and Design. She discovered the joy of gouache painting in 2016 and has worked with gouache ever since.

Wide Eyed Books are an imprint of Quarto and have a great portfolio of books for children.

Encyclopaedia of Birds is a beautifully published book with a wide amount of information and will appeal hugely to children from 6-26!

Sue Martin Children’s Literacy Specialist