Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below."Literally chasing inspiration, young William runs through the streets, gardens, waters, and woods of Elizabethan England, in search of the flibbertigibbety words that flew in through his window one day and then escaped, in this whimsical, metaphorical ode to the language and plays of Shakespeare. Each spread features well-known phrases from a play, as the lad's future characters-a multiracial group, in a nod to diversity in modern casting-stand on a balcony, ride in a carriage, or stir a boiling pot, as appropriate to their roles. Playful and idiosyncratic illustrations are full of action and energy and evoke the sense of a European fairy tale as they portray the determined boy's seemingly unsuccessful search. At a loss for words, William finally returns home and reveals his plight to a local peddler he passed earlier-who, in addition to pretty ribbons, also happens to sell paper and pens, which might be just what young William needs to capture his elusive target. This cheeky, kid-friendly tale is full of creativity and humor and will work for many age groups on many levels-and it answers the age-old question of where authors find ideas (and words). Both William and the peddler present white.A comic introduction to the plays and words of Shakespeare that's lighthearted and sure to please. (author's note, quotations with sources, bibliography) (Picture book. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below."Literally chasing inspiration, young William runs through the streets, gardens, waters, and woods of Elizabethan England, in search of the flibbertigibbety words that flew in through his window one day and then escaped, in this whimsical, metaphorical ode to the language and plays of Shakespeare. Each spread features well-known phrases from a play, as the lad's future characters-a multiracial group, in a nod to diversity in modern casting-stand on a balcony, ride in a carriage, or stir a boiling pot, as appropriate to their roles. Playful and idiosyncratic illustrations are full of action and energy and evoke the sense of a European fairy tale as they portray the determined boy's seemingly unsuccessful search. At a loss for words, William finally returns home and reveals his plight to a local peddler he passed earlier-who, in addition to pretty ribbons, also happens to sell paper and pens, which might be just what young William needs to capture his elusive target. This cheeky, kid-friendly tale is full of creativity and humor and will work for many age groups on many levels-and it answers the age-old question of where authors find ideas (and words). Both William and the peddler present white.A comic introduction to the plays and words of Shakespeare that's lighthearted and sure to please. (author's note, quotations with sources, bibliography) (Picture book. 5-10)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

This story by Guthrie begins as William, a child in Elizabethan England, spies a string of curlicued hand-lettered words in the sky outside his window: -This above all: to thine own self be true.- More drift into the house, and young William longs to corral them. He chases the banner of fleeting, continually shifting phrases (-Boldness be my friend!-) out into the streets and to the sea, encountering strangers who want the words themselves. At last, a kindly peddler offers pen and paper and comfort: -Words will come again to a boy like you,- he promises. Artwork by Gilland features retro-style figures in sprightly motion against backdrops of half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. Though the book-s concept seems murky in places (will the famous lines, removed from their context, mean anything to young readers?)-the final descriptions of paper and pen as tools for capturing words, and writing as an act of -coaxing- them onto the page, will stay with aspiring writers. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2020)

Gr 2-4 Young William Shakespeare tries to catch words but the ones that fly through his window are "flibbertigibbety" words that he has to pursue. Through the cobbled streets and past a horse-drawn carriage carrying the king and his daughters, William loses the words at the water's edge before picking up the chase in the woods where they hover in a witch's brew ("Fair is foul and foul is fair: hover through the fog"). Finally, William's vain efforts and resulting frustration are eased when the town peddler presents him with paper and pen. As memories of his busy day flood in, so do words with William "coaxing them onto the page to stay forever." Shakespearean phrases in highly stylized colored text curl and curve around the pages to such a degree that legibility is sometimes sacrificed. His seesawing emotions make for some abrupt transitions: sadness at losing track of the words at the water contrasts with him cheerfully chasing of new ones on the next page. Digital and traditional illustrations depict the Elizabethan time period as backdrop for the rosy-cheeked impish William and his unruly words. Back matter includes an author's note, a list of phrases appearing in the book (and their respective Shakespearean plays), as well as a bibliography (although some sources may not be accessible for the intended audience). VERDICT An energetic story, driven by merry phrasing, will introduce the playwright and some of his famous quotes to younger readers and encourage budding wordsmiths. Ramarie Beaver, formerly at Plano P.L., TX