Spring not only represents universal renewal and growth ― it also brings with it Shakespeare’s birthday!
It is generally believed that the Bard was born on April 23rd; but rather than limit the festivities to a single day, we at Shakespeare For Our Children® like to think of the date as only the beginning of a season of celebration.
As the weather becomes warmer and the days grow longer, we can imagine creative ways to bring Shakespeare into Nature itself ― putting on scenes in a neighborhood backyard, or perhaps a public garden space ― and bringing the sparkling romance of “Much Ado about Nothing” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to our landscape.
And always remember ― “all the World’s a Stage!”
You can also keep things low-key: Take your children to a park, and let them sketch their surroundings while you read aloud from storybook retellings of those plays and others. (We love Bruce Coville and Charles and Mary Lamb.)
During this period of such upheaval and change, Shakespeare has remained a marvelously “ever-fixed mark.” As we now embrace brighter days, in every sense of the word, let us celebrate the majesty of his life ― and honour how his work has enriched our own.
©2021