The Sonnets, by Shakespeare
By Amanda Bindel,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sleek, searchable Shakespearean sonnets, with audio.
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The Sonnets, by Shakespeare
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What’s It About?
THE SONNETS, BY SHAKESPEARE opens with a simple screen with three choices: Read, Lookup, or Videos. Read offers each Sonnet, starting with Sonnet I, to be read, heard read aloud, or shared. Swipe to turn the virtual page to the next sonnet. Lookup includes an index of all the sonnets in order, with first lines listed. The search functions use keywords to search all the sonnets. Videos include a dramatic reading of the poem, some with artwork matched; other only show the words.
Is It Any Good?
The interface is elegant -- including only the sonnets -- with the modern convenience of searchable text. The voice reading aloud is pleasant, though a male voice reads everything. The sonnets alone are a wealth of information, but a dictionary function to help kids make sense of Shakespearean language or explanations of the literary devices would be a nice addition.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Shakespeare's works and his influence on literature and media today. Read your favorite sonnet together and talk about what it means.
Choose an age-appropriate Shakespeare-inspired movie to watch together as a family. Try Gnomeo and Juliet for younger kids or Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing for teens.
App Details
- Device: Android
- Subjects: Language & Reading: reading, text analysis, vocabulary
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: thinking critically, Creativity: imagination, Communication: listening
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: March 14, 2014
- Category: Education
- Publisher: Socratica LLC
- Version: 1.4.0
- Minimum software requirements: Requires Android 2.3.3 and up
- Last updated: July 29, 2016
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