Debatably the most tragic love story in our history, Romeo and Juliet is one of the more famous works by William Shakespeare. I remember reading this book in ninth grade and falling in love with the idea of "star crossed lovers" and being devastated to learn about the fates of Romeo and Juliet. Bruce Coville did a great job with this picture book by staying true to the storyline but changing some of the language and altering the violent themes. I originally only picked up this picture book, but I was moved to read more of Coville's Shakespearean picture books after reading this one. It is a great tool to use when introducing Shakespeare to a younger student that has expressed interest in the material.The illustrations were also beautifully done and really captured the essence of the story. ( )

A good way to introduce children to The Bard, the plain telling of this story is well written, yet familiar as the words spoken by the characters are the lines that we have heard for decades. The delicate art and illustrations provide a backdrop for this romantic, tragic tale of young love. ( )

A beautiful and approachable retelling of one of my favorite Shakespearean play! The illustrations truly demonstrate how young Romeo and Juliet are, which is an important aspect many students forget while reading. This is a great resource to introduce the play, review important plot points and characters, or offer a wide scope of a play that takes significant class time. Includes some of the most memorable and significant lines from the play. ( )

Romeo and Juliet is, arguably to some, inarguably to others, the greatest love story ever told. Bruce Coville and Dennis Nolan's adaptation does nothing to lessen the story's legacy.

As is par for the course with this author/illustrator pairing, Coville strives to keep the heart of the story in tact while Nolan uses Coville's cues to paint beautiful pictures. As compared to other works of theirs, however, one thing is a bit different. The language used here, while still easier to read than Shakespeare himself, is a bit more complex. Still, it's only a minor issue to note. The illustrative quality, on the other hand, has not changed a bit. Nolan's work continues to be top-notch.

As an introduction to the world of Shakespeare or a companion to the play itself, Coville and Nolan's Romeo and Juliet works quite well. ( )

Romeo and Juliet are from feuding families, and they are forbidden to be with each other. This tale of fighting for love is timeless. The illustrations make the story come alive, and the language make it more readable than the play version does. I think every high school English teacher should have this version as a reference for those students who just can't grasp the traditional play version. ( )