Shakespeare's Tales: All's Well that Ends Well

By Samantha Newman and Ceej Rowland

Helena, a low-born girl, is desperately in love with Bertram, a nobleman. When she is allowed to choose anyone in the kingdom to marry, she chooses Bertram. He swears he will never be her husband. Can Helena ever convince Bertram to love her back?

This unconventional 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: 9781398818200

Book preview

cover.jpg

All's Well That Ends Well

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

A long time ago, not far from Paris, there once was a countess and a count who were deeply in love. Their grown-up son, Bertram, was their pride and joy. When the count died unexpectedly, the countess was very sad. She was also worried, for it meant Bertram was now the count and he was still young. The King of France, who was a great friend of the countess, promised to watch over Bertram and teach him how to take care of his lands. He also planned to find Bertram a good wife, so he invited him to court in Paris.

The countess was sorry to see Bertram go, but she knew he needed to learn from the king while he still could, since the king was very sick.

Is there any hope of him recovering? she asked Lafeu, an old lord who was going with Bertram to court to watch over him.

I’m afraid his doctors have given up, said Lafeu. It sounds hopeless.

It’s such as shame, said the countess.