2016 is another big year for Shakespeare and The Wallbook Timeline of Shakespeare will give readers (of all ages) special insight into all his 38 plays, as well as into the man and his time. A colourful 2 metre long wall chart illustrated with intriguing picture scenes lays out the plays in chronological order, providing a plot summary and introduction to the main characters, and highlighting key quotes. In What On Earth? style a timeline across the bottom tells us what was happening in Shakespeare’s world – political and personal – as his plays were performed. Extra material includes 30 different newspaper-style reports on different aspects of the Bard. Typically of this innovative, inspiring series it will catch young people’s interest and encourage them to discover even more about our greatest playwright. ~ Andrea Reece
The wallbooks are an amazing feat of publishing. The What on Earth?Wallbook of Shakespeare is a unique introduction to all thirty-eight histories, comedies and tragedies by William Shakespeare on a timeline set in the iconic Globe Theatre. On the reverse, a newspaper-style narrative reviews all the most significant moments in the legacy of William Shakespeare from his death to the present day.
In addition to the Wallbook, The Timeline of Shakespeare also includes a Chronicle which features more than 30 newspaper stories and a quiz.
Published in partnership with The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the What on Earth? Wallbook of Shakespeare makes the perfect introduction to all of Shakespeare’s plays for anyone ages 6 to 106.
Words by Dr Nick Walton, from The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and Christopher Lloyd . Illustrations by the fabulous wallbook artist, Andy Forshaw.
The wallbook is A3 size with hardback covers for extra durability. It can either be read like a book or unfolded into a 2.4 metre long timeline for hanging on a wall.
You can see the author demonstrating his wallbooks in this video -
Christopher Lloyd, Dr. Nick Walton, Patrick Skipworth Press Reviews
Praise for the What on Earth? Timeline series:
"A gripping re-telling of the most extraordinary story ever told" The Independent
"Epic - this is history let out of the box" The Daily Telegraph
"Astonishing - perfect for all the family" The Sunday Times
"A truly epic undertaking, in terms of layout, typography, design and sheer scale of ambition" - Christopher Middleton, The Daily Telegraph
“I wasn't able to get to the camera to catch the moment of my 4 y/o grandson on hands and knees on the dining room table looking for dinosaurs and boats. Your heart would melt. Many thanks to you, Chris and all those that made these delightful posters.” Ted Mead (grandparent)
“I wanted to let you know how fascinated my four boys are with the Shakespeare wall chart. They love it! They are aged 10, 7 and twins aged 6, and have had no contact with Shakespeare at all up till now - but can sit with it on their laps and pour over the pictures for ages! Then they ask questions (inevitable - the gory stuff!). Helen Hughes (parent)
“I have been reading your What On Earth Happened? book and it has inspired me to rethink my history teaching. The way you link one event/invention to another is brilliant. Would you object if I borrowed some of your content for use in my History class-notes?” Alex Kirkpatrick, Bishopsgate School
“Christopher Lloyd came to our school to give a talk and it was compulsory for me to go. I really dreaded it, and thought that it would be boring. However, to my pleasant surprise the talk was one of the most interesting talks I have ever listened to. It sparked in me a real interest in history and current events, so much so that I went home and got the What On Earth Happened Wallbook and the full book. I have chosen GCSE for history and will likely go on to study it at A-level. Thanks again for what you are doing and for inspiring me.” Aidan Bartholomew (14 years old)
Author
About Christopher Lloyd, Dr. Nick Walton, Patrick Skipworth
Christopher (pictured) graduated with a double first in history from Cambridge in 1990 and went on to become the Technology Editor for The Sunday Times. He left in 2000 to become CEO of Immersive Education in Oxford before becoming an author in 2006. His best selling history of the world, called What on Earth Happened? (Bloomsbury 2008) is now in 15 languages and has sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide. He established his own publishing house What on Earth Publishing in Spring 2010 and has published a series of timelines in collaboration with illustrator Andy Forshaw covering history, nature, science, sport, Shakespeare and Magna Carta. Christopher is now in great demand as a lecturer and storyteller in schools, museums and at literary festivals throughout the UK and abroad. He divides his time between lecturing and writing.
