Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Stinky Stolen Toenails

Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Stinky Stolen Toenails is as hilarious as the title suggests. We follow young William Shakespeare on his quest to prove himself as the 'Greatest-Person-Who-Solves-Crimes'. He and his best friend Tybalt get up to much mayhem whilst they try to uncover who stole the sacred stinky toenails before the Twelfth Night Party.

Kaz Penney has created a highly entertaining romp through the life and times of a young William Shakespeare. We meet many characters - nattily named after characters from Shakespeare’s plays - and immerse ourselves in the madness that a young boy might get himself into in the times of Shakespeare, in the 'dull and boring' Stratford-upon-Avon. She hilariously focuses on the many gross and rather smelly things of the time that will prove tear-jerkingly funny to younger middle grade readers.

The book is written from Will's perspective with his voice ringing out as a young, frustrated boy of the time. His friend, Tybalt, adds notes to clarify some of the less true facts that Will would have us believe. Comic-style illustrations from Sammy Elgie add a further funny layer as children will see the situations coming to life through the many illustrations that enhance the humour.

The book is also a 'who-dunnit' aimed at children and there is true joy in following with Will along the many clues, red herrings and dead ends to see where the adventure takes us. It is a fabulous book that embraces key elements of the time with a modern twist to engage young readers with the life and times of William Shakespeare. It is also a fabulous example of the pitfalls and problems that a young crime solver might encounter (chores from parents etc.) A rip-roaring, highly-amusing read.

Suggested Reading Age 7+

What an absolute delight of a book! If you thought you knew about the young Shakespeare, then you are in for a surprise. Will has ambitions to be a solver of crimes, so when the treasure owned by his neighbour is stolen, he and his best friend Tybalt decide they will have to find the thief. Unfortunately, the treasure consists of a bag full of Henry VIII's toenail clippings, supposedly with healing properties; so, the young sleuths have a difficult task ahead of them. This is only added to when you find that they are in the lead up to Twelfth Night and the celebratory feast will depend on their success.

Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Stinky Stolen Toenails is a fantastic introduction to the world of the Elizabethan bard, with just a hint of the modern world. There are several ways that the story can be read; it is an uproaring 'comedy of errors', a tale of friendship, and a wonderful play on several of the real Shakespeare's most famous stories. There are hints of 'Romeo and Juliet`, and 'Twelfth Night' - and possibly more that I have missed.

The author has taken some of the famous names and altered them slightly, so that we have a sense of being in on the verbal jokes. The book is aimed at the younger middle grade reader and the illustrations bring the characters to life. The text has a variety of font styles and sizes, which is popular at the moment. Hopefully there are more to come.

256 pages/ Margaret Pemberton, librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+