Shakespeare's Tales: Much Ado About Nothing

By Samantha Newman and Ceej Rowland

Their battles of wits are legendary, but Benedick has sworn off women and Beatrice has vowed that she will never marry a man. It's a good job that they don't like each other then... or might they be persuaded with a little help from their friends?

This humorous romance has been retold and adapted with new illustrations, making it perfect for younger readers. Adapted by Samantha Newman, it will enthral young readers of 7+.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Shakespeare's Tales brings the Bard's timeless stories to life for a younger generation, with wit and panache. Samantha Newman's cleverly reworked text retains many of Shakespeare's own inimitable turns of phrase, while simplifying and clarifying the language and plots to make stories accessible to children. Perfect for children aged 7+.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcturus Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398818163

Book preview

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Much Ado About Nothing

A William Shakespeare Tale

Retold by Sam Newman

Illustrated by Ceej Rowland

Note to Parents

Shakespeare’s plays sometimes contain difficult themes. We have handled these sensitively, but would recommend that younger children in particular read the stories aloud with a trusted adult, so that they can discuss anything that causes them concern.

Titles in This Series:

1. The Comedy of Errors

2. Love’s Labour’s Lost

3. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

4. Romeo and Juliet

5. The Merchant of Venice

6. Much Ado About Nothing

7. As You Like It

8. Hamlet

9. Twelfth Night

10. Othello

11. All’s Well That Ends Well

12. King Lear

13. Macbeth

14. Antony and Cleopatra

15. The Winter’s Tale

16. The Tempest

Contents

Act One

Act Two

Act Three

Act Four

Act Five

Act One

Once, a long time ago in the Italian town of Messina, a nobleman named Leonato lived with his daughter, Hero, and his niece, Beatrice.

One day, Leonato was excited to hear that his old friend, Don Pedro, was coming home from war and would be coming to stay with them in Messina. The messenger told Leonato that a young man named Claudio was coming with Don Pedro. He was very brave and had fought well in the war.

Please, Beatrice asked the messenger, Is Benedick coming too?

Benedick was a nobleman who had stayed in Messina before.

He is, and I hear he fought very well in the wars also, said the messenger.

He is a man stuffed full of good qualities.

Eaten well in the wars, more like, scoffed Beatrice. Stuffed full of good food!

Don’t listen to my niece, Leonato chuckled. She and Benedick have a war of wits going on.

It’s hardly a war when I win every battle! Beatrice said. "Anyway, who is his companion