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KNOWLEDGE THIRST MEDIA announces the launch of a range of books from Classical Comics, creating graphic novel adaptations of classical literature, from Shakespeare to Dickens to Bronte...
These books were developed because today’s children hate reading, especially Shakespeare and the classics. The question that we asked, was: “Are there ways, then, of showing the young that Shakespeare told terrific stories, created wonderfully real characters, and treated subjects relevant to their own lives?”
The answer can't simply be to put Shakespeare on the national curriculum and force-feed some ancient text to 14-year-olds. This will only make the Bard “homework” and ensure that he's number one and two on the student hate-list.
Special efforts are needed to combat Bardophobia in the average child. That’s why, the first two of a series of Shakespeare plays in pictorial form, Macbeth and Henry V, as well as free downloads from the company's website of comic-book versions of Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III and The Tempest, have been launched.
We’ve taken original, timeless authors such as Shakespeare, Dickens and Bronte, and given their books an exciting treatment, by enhancing them, and using the best artists and scriptwriters, to ensure that the books remain faithful to the original works - giving the adult and the student, a truly wonderful reading experience that they may want to return to again and again.
A very unique feature is that they’ve kept the original script in the case of Shakespeare, and with non-Shakespeare there is minor abridgement, and they also provide alternative text levels, a plain or modern English text for Shakespeare and an quick or easy text for the beginner, which gives a unique, exciting and totally engaging reading experience that truly has something for everyone!
Now, How will this help in the CLASSROOM:
With literacy levels in schools, and amongst school leavers, at an all time low, Classical Comics has devised a revolutionary three-tier dialogue approach as an invaluable classroom teaching tool.
The original idea was to create a range of books that made classical literature exciting and engaging to modern readers, and nowhere is that more important than in education. We believe that this range provides an ideal way for a student to approach classical literature from age 9 and above.
Visual appeal is paramount, which is why the books are strong in colour, dynamic in action and are overall vibrant! Coupled with the unique three-level text system, it provides an ideal platform for the teaching of these wonderful pieces of classical literature, with a myriad of applications in the classroom.
Inclusive teaching of mixed skills levels, where all students are on the same page, regardless of the text version chosen to match their reading ability.
This is also helpful to engage reluctant readers and to get boys to read. There is also the possibility for cross curriculum teaching involving literacy, language, art & design, history and drama all in one book.
Plus, for each title, there is a photocopiable study guide utilizing the same artwork as in the books, incorporating lesson plans and exercises.
The art work is excellent, the publication standards high, using rich colour on heavy, semi-glossy, heavy paper. The printing is very clear, with bold used to relay emphasis. Locales and dates are given at the head of the scenes, even though these do not, of course, usually appear in the Original Text (meant to appeal to history teachers!).
There are also free to download teacher’s resources and study aids for 'Much ado about nothing', 'The Tempest', 'Richard III' in all three texts, plus a no-text version which has empty speech balloons for students to fill in the dialogue. These are in black and white, so nothing is lost in normal printing, and it’s less expensive as well. It can be emailed easily as well, requiring less bandwith. There are many others books planned, and some already in production.
Turning Classic Literature into Classic Comics - that's Classical Comics!
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Creating graphic novel adaptations of classical literature!