For a child curious about classic tales and big emotions, this beautiful retelling introduces Shakespeare's magical world of betrayal, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
Reach for this book when you want to introduce your child to a classic story that explores complex feelings like anger, revenge, and the power of forgiveness. This beautifully illustrated chapter book retells Shakespeare's famous play about Prospero, a sorcerer and duke, who is betrayed by his brother and exiled to a magical island with his daughter, Miranda. When a storm brings his enemies to the island, Prospero must choose between revenge and reconciliation. It's a perfect, age-appropriate entry point to a timeless tale, offering a safe space to discuss why letting go of anger can be the most powerful magic of all.
The hero uses magic to control, frighten, and manipulate others to achieve his goals.
Sensitive Topics
The story's central conflict is rooted in familial betrayal and a desire for revenge. This is handled directly, but within a fairy tale context that softens the edges. The resolution is entirely hopeful, emphasizing forgiveness and reconciliation. The servitude of the spirit Ariel and the native Caliban is present, but simplified for this age group, ending with Ariel's promised freedom.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for an 8 to 10-year-old who loves fantasy and magic but is ready for more emotional complexity than a simple good versus evil story. It would resonate with a child who is grappling with feelings of unfairness or who has been deeply hurt by a friend or sibling and is struggling with the idea of forgiveness.
Parent Prep
A parent should be ready to discuss the difference between justice (making things right) and revenge (hurting someone back). It would be helpful to preview the story and think about how to frame Prospero's actions. While he's the hero, he uses his power to frighten and control people, which is a great point for conversation. No major prep is needed, but it's richer with discussion. A parent might pick this up after hearing their child say something like, "He was mean to me, so I'm never talking to him again!" or seeing their child nurse a grudge. It's for the moment a parent recognizes their child is stuck in a cycle of anger over a past wrong and needs a story to model a different path.
Age Experience
A 7-year-old will likely enjoy the surface-level magic: the storm, the invisible spirit, and the love story. They will see a clear happy ending where bad people say sorry. A 10-year-old can dig deeper, questioning if Prospero's actions were fair, understanding the weight of his decision to forgive, and appreciating the sacrifice he makes by giving up his powerful magic.
What Makes It Special
This book's uniqueness lies in its ability to make a complex Shakespearean plot and its mature themes of revenge and mercy accessible and engaging for elementary-aged children. Unlike many fairy tales, the protagonist's main struggle is internal. It is not about defeating a monster, but about conquering his own desire for vengeance. The narrative provides a powerful model for restorative justice over punishment.
Read plot summary
This book is a prose retelling of Shakespeare's The Tempest for a young audience. Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, and his daughter Miranda were exiled to a magical island years ago. Using his command of magic and the spirit Ariel, Prospero conjures a storm to shipwreck his usurping brother Antonio and the King of Naples on his shores. Through a series of magical encounters and tests, Prospero confronts his past, Miranda falls in love with the king's son Ferdinand, and the villains are brought to justice. In the end, Prospero chooses to forgive his brother, renounce his magic, and return to his rightful place in Milan.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Prospero was very angry with his brother for many years. Why do you think he chose to forgive him in the end instead of using his magic to punish him more?
2
The spirit Ariel helps Prospero but longs to be free. Do you think it was fair for Prospero to make Ariel work for him? Why was setting Ariel free an important part of the story's ending?
3
Miranda grew up on the island and had never met anyone besides her father. How did meeting Ferdinand and the other shipwrecked people change her world?
4
If you had magical powers like Prospero, would you use them to get back at someone who hurt you, or would you use them for something else? What would you do?
