Drama

A short illustrated play set in World War Two, perfect for class reading as well as performance, written by Julia Donaldson, author of the modern classic The Gruffalo. Perfect for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in 2019.<BR><BR>World War Two has been declared and the Chiver's children are sent to the safety of the countryside. They are delighted to be brought back home when it looks like the Germans aren't going to invade after all. But the air-raid siren goes off and this time it's frighteningly real.<BR><BR>This dramatic and touching play brings Manchester during the Second World War and its people to life, and provides a variety of opportunities for school classes to explore both historical and literacy topics in an involving and creative setting. Also includes helpful tips on staging and costume.<BR><BR>'This touching play brings to life the Second World War in a very accessible way for junior children' - Books for Keeps

Feed Your Mind is a picture book celebration of August Wilson’s journey from a child in Pittsburgh to one of America’s greatest playwrights, from Caldecott Honor–winning author Jen Bryant and illustrator Cannaday Chapman.<BR><BR> August Wilson (1945–2005) was a two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright who had a particular talent for capturing the authentic, everyday voice of Black Americans. As a child, he read off soup cans and cereal boxes, and when his mother brought him to the library, his whole world opened up. After facing intense prejudice at school from both students and some teachers, August dropped out. However, he continued reading and educating himself independently. He felt that if he could read about it, then he could teach himself anything and accomplish anything.<BR><BR> Like many of his plays, Feed Your Mind is told in two acts, revealing how Wilson grew up to be one of the most influential American playwrights. The book includes an author’s note, a timeline of August Wilson’s life, a list of Wilson’s plays, and a bibliography.<BR><BR>“Bryant’s poetic descriptions effectively chronicle Wilson’s artistic journey . . . This empathetic and informative study of August Wilson’s early years explores the complexities of the black experience in America. A book that will resonate not only with bookworms and fans of the playwright but with black children wishing to see themselves reflected in the world around them.” —School Library Journal (Starred Review)

Lavinia Warren never let her height--or the lack of it--prevent her from leading a full and adventurous life. Although she never grew more than three feet tall, she became a beloved teacher, a world traveler, an entertainer and the friend of many powerful figures. Lavinia was teaching at a local school when she heard about an opportunity to travel doing shows as a "human curiosity" on a Mississippi River boat. Eventually she met P. T. Barnum and worked at his American Museum. It was there that she met Charles Stratton, a little person known to the world as "Tom Thumb." Their wedding, which took place on February 10, 1863, brought joy to a nation at war. President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln held a reception for the couple at the White House. The newlyweds later toured the United States and the world. Lavinia faced several tragedies but always found the strength to go on. Lavinia's extraordinary story also provides a social history of one of the most devastating periods in American history. With additional material on Tom Thumb Weddings, readers' questions, time line, and notes and bibliography, this is sure to be a valuable title for adventurous middle-grade readers.

When you consider the fact that some of the plays written in Ancient Greece, 2,000 years ago, are still performed today, the importance of this genre really hits home. This simple yet insightful overview of plays offers readers a vibrant introduction that is bound to get them interested in learning more. Lively text is paired with vivid photographs to keep readers engaged. Carefully selected examples pertinent to the age group will encourage them not only to explore the plays on their own but to use these sources as a springboard to a lifetime of appreciating this long-lived art.

Growing up in Australia, Liam Hemsworth's youth was focused more on surfing than acting. This entertaining biography describes Liam's rise to fame alongside his two older brothers who are also actors. In fact, Liam lost the leading role in the movie Thor to his big brother, Chris, in 2010. But Liam bounced back landing his first big role, alongside Miley Cyrus, in the movie The Last Song. Now with a leading role in wildly successful The Hunger Games series, his fame just keeps continuing to grow.

One of the biggest problems faced by those working with very young children at Christmas is how to involve pre-readers in the nativity story with the minimum of fuss and manageable preparation. Here is an ideal solution that will delight teachers and parents alike. In this book, popular author Brian Ogden offers three very diverse plays - all of which can be performed with groups of any size. Each one tells the story of the first Christmas from a difference perspective, using well-known nursery rhyme turnes to bring the storyline to life. Simple directions, costumes and props ensure that the children are given the opportunity to participate fully in the performance. Includes photocopy permission.

Includes the plays<BR><BR> I'm the King of the Castle!<BR>Sam Smith, Crime Buster<BR>The Tale of Thomas Mead<BR><BR>Three fun-packed plays for children with illustrated suggestions for staging by Laurence Hutchins.