Shakespeare wrote with a feather quill and ink; Emily Dickinson wrote with a fountain pen; Isaac Bashevis Singer wrote on a Yiddish typewriter. But what did such writers do when they weren't writing? What did Jane Austen eat for breakfast? What could make Mark Twain throw his shirts out the window? Why would Zora Neale Hurston punch a fellow elevator passenger? "Lives of the Writers "tells all that and more.

Easy to use in the classroom or as a tool for revision, the Oxford Literature Companions provide student-friendly analysis of a range of popular set texts. Each book offers a lively, engaging approach to the text, covering characters, themes, language and contexts, whilst also providing a range of varied and in-depth activities to deepen understanding and encourage close work with the text. Each book also includes a comprehensive Skills and Practice section, which provides detailed advice on assessment and a bank of exam-style questions and annotated sample student answers. This guide covers 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck, is suitable for all exam boards and for the most recent GCSEspecifications.

A collection of stories from other cultures and traditions. The stories have been chosen for their suitability for GCSE pupils. Each one is supported by information about the author and the cultural context of the story, as well as activities and suggested coursework assignments.

"What, my dear Lady Disdain Are you yet living?" These famous lines from Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing delightfully show the verbal sparring between the reluctant lovers, Beatrice and Benedick who are happily brought together at the end by the schemes of their friends. And, no story is complete without at least one evil character, Don John, who unsuccessfully tries to tear apart the wedding plans of Hero and Claudio, the other lovers in this sparkling tale.

Written in rhyming couplets, Much Ado About Nothing, the eighth book in this successful series, captures all the exciting elements of the original story, and is truly a delightful read for both adult and child.

Lois Burdett has been a teacher at Hamlet Public School in Stratford, Ontario, for over twenty years and her expertise in bringing Shakespeare to life for children as young as seven is reflected in the children's clever insights and wonderful drawings which complement the play.

Her success has resulted in an ever-increasing demand for workshops as far afield as Europe and Australia where she instructs educators on how they too can familiarize young children with Shakespeare.

From the "Foreword" by Denzel Washington

" Lois Burdett's] delightfully entertaining text is complemented by her students' thoughtful interpretations and charming artwork which make "Much Ado About Nothing" come alive in a whole new way."