School Library Journal Review

ea. vol: illus. by Richard Hook. 32p. photogs. reprods. bibliog. glossary. index. (Great Lives Series). Bookwright Pr, dist. by Watts. Sept. 1985. PLB $9.40. Gr 4-6 Two attractively packaged biographies. Colorful and appealing, each book is comprised of brief chapters lavishly illustrated with photographs and drawings. Both include an index, a short list of recommended reading (although many of the books cited are for an older age group; others aren't readily available in America) and a rather redundant list of ``New Words'' (most are clear from the context, and some terms American children might have difficulty with aren't included). Queen Elizabeth II also includes an abbreviated family tree and William Shakespeare a chronological listing of plays. The British origin of the series may cause minimal difficulties. Both books have minor flaws: some disjointed statements in Elizabeth may puzzle American children, the book substitutes rather boring drawings for actual photos in several places and it does not discuss the Queen's daily routine. Shakespeare lacks a diagram of the Globe Theatre, which would help interpret the related text. The high quality of both books shines through, however, and there is nothing else of their type available for this age group. Ann W. Moore, Lane Road Library, Columbus, Ohio (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.