Hamlet For Kids

Lois Burdett is in great demand throughout North America and Europe for her workshops where she instructs educators how to familiarize young children with Shakespeare. Among other commendations, Lois Burdett has received Encyclopedia Britannica's National Award for Early Childhood Education, Canada's Meritorious Service Medal, the Canadian Teachers' Federation's Hilroy Fellowship, and two writers' awards. Burdett's many speaking engagements have included the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Her books, magazine articles, presentations and media interviews are testimony to her strong influence in the education community, where she has also been instrumental in helping teachers to incorporate Shakespeare into early grade curricula.

Now the two stood together, royal Father and his son.
"Mark me!" the ghost shuddered, "My hour is almost come.
I am thy father's spirit doomed to walk the night.
At dawn, I render up myself and disappear from sight."
The mournful voice resounded from above,
"If thou didst ever thy dear father love,
Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder!" he cried.
"Murder?" Hamlet trembled, and looked horrified.
The very word hammered in his brain.
"Murder most foul!" the spirit bellowed again.
"Tis said," the ghost moaned, "that a serpent bit me.
And I died in my orchard, in tranquillity.
Indeed, a serpent did sting thy father's life.
But it now wears his crown, and has married his wife."
"Oh, my prophetic soul!" cried Hamlet, "Can this be true?"
"Aye!" moaned the spirit, "The facts I will review.
As I slept peacefully on that fateful day,
Your uncle crept towards me, like a beast of prey.
A poisonous liquid, he poured into my ear.
Then he slunk away, with a laughing sneer.
It was a moment I could never have foressen.
My brother snatched my life, my crown, and my Queen.
Bear it not, my son! Set my tortured spirit free!
Adieu, adieu, adieu. Remember me!"