Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Shakespeare’s London: A Guide to Elizabethan London
Illustrator: Kevin Maddison , Inklink Firenze
Nonfiction
For ages 7 to 10
Houghton Mifflin, 2000 ISBN: 978-0753452349
Let's imagine that you are going to go to London in the time of Queen Elizabeth. What would you see? What precautions should you take when you travel? What kind of food could you buy in the shops and inns? Well, if you had this book in hand you can be sure that you would know the answers to all these questions and more.
It is very likely that you will like to do some shopping when you are in town and this guide will explain how the shops tend to be grouped in different areas in town and how signs over the doors will help you figure out what they sell. If you are in the mood for a little theatre it is suggested that you visit the Globe Theatre which only recently opened where the plays of William Shakespeare are often performed. He is very popular these days.
If plays are not your cut of tea you might find the cock fights and bear baiting interesting. Do not attend these events however if you are an animal lover or have a weak stomach for they are quite bloodthirsty.
The book also describes the various sites that you might want to visit and includes a survival guide which warns you about crime, health issues and more.
Written with a certain amount of humour and with great attention to detail this book is both entertaining and highly informative. At the back readers will find an annotated map of Elizabethan London and there are annotated illustrations throughout.
This book is one of the titles in the "Sightseers Essential Travel Guides to the Past."
