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As an avid reader and former teacher Donna Deleo Bruno is "in the know!"  Her book reviews are perfect for the busy mom looking to pick up a worthy read for themselves, or for the kids.  Here Donna reviews How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare by Ken Ludwig.

"Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!" 

Teach our kids Shakespeare? What a novel notion! Not only possible, asserts Ken Ludwig, the author and an acclaimed playwright, but also simple. Quoting the bard?  So very preferable to other words and phrases they might pick up!!! What better first step to future entrance to an Ivy League institution?

This, however, should not be your primary goal; rather both parent and children should be having fun through this interaction. Ken Ludwig gives a number of step-by step suggestions as to how to go about this. First, break the passage into a few lines. Next, explain to the child the meaning of the line, including specific words. For example,  "Look what fools these mortals be!" (from Midsummer Night's Dream). Mortals are people, human beings, like you and me. Sometimes we do foolish things, make mistakes, act silly, look ridiculous.  Now a child has an appropriate description of his foolish actions or those of others.  Third, memorize the line by saying it aloud, then repeating it, then saying it again, examining the rhythm; since most of the plays are written in iambic pentameter.

There are so many lines suitable for use by a child in so many situations:

"I go, I go, look how I go

Swifter than an arrow from a Tartar's bow."

(Also from Midsummer Night's Dream). Of course, you would need to explain that a tartar is an Oriental fighter with a strong bow. What better way to convey the speed which one must summon when late for school or some other event?

Some others--  "Neither a borrow nor a lender be."

                         "All that glitters is not gold"

                          "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

                         "What's in a name? A rose by any other word would smell as sweet."

            This is a different type of "head start" than the educational program designed for pre-schoolers, So---   Start quoting your Shakespeare,

                                        Start quoting him now;

                                        Start quoting your Shakespeare

                                        If you'd like your kids to wow!