Smoke speaks in mesmerising riddles: "I lack a mouth, but I can speak... I lack hands, but I can push out unwanted guests... I'm gentler than a feather, but I can cause harm..." This rhythmically powerful narration is complemented by illustrations in which swirling smoke was captured on art paper held over smoky candle flames, and the dancing smoke textures were then deepened and elaborated with watercolours and Photoshop finishes. With this unique method, Merce Lopez "let the smoke decide how the idea I had in mind would dance with it, giving freedom to the images". The resulting illustrations are astounding, and they resonate with the otherworldly text.

Love! Betrayal! Ambition! Tragedy! Jealousy! William Shakespeare's universal themes continue to resonate with readers of all ages more than 400 years after his death.  This wonderful, fully illustrated book introduces children to the Bard and more than thirty of his most famous and accessible verses, sonnets, and speeches. From “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?� to “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!� and “All the world’s a stage,� the words and poetry of the greatest playwright and poet spring to life on the page.   The next generation of readers, poets, and actors will be entranced by these works of Shakespeare. Each poem is illustrated and includes an explanation by an expert and definitions of important words to give kids and parents the fullest explanation of their content and impact.  "An enticing entree to the glories of Shakespeare's verse." —Kirkus Reviews "A richly illustrated selection of 31 poems and excerpts from Shakespeare's most popular works. The selected writings provide a fantastic scope of Shakespeare's oeuvre. ... López's illustrations are intricate, dramatic, and moody; they help bring life and meaning to the words." —School Library Journal