Local Author Introduces Shakespeare For Babies

HOUSTON, TX —To celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday, a Houston children’s publisher is bringing the party to several Houston-area locations.

Preschoolers, toddlers, babies and caregivers can enjoy interactive “babyproof” Shakespeare readings, songs, and a howling contest, as well as birthday treats, free giveaways, and wiggle time for kids.

“Babies love Shakespeare, if you pick the right bit and get really into the recitation,” publisher Erin Nelsen Parekh says. “They’re fascinated with the drama of it, the wordplay, there are all these interesting sounds. I pick sections that have a lot of rhyme and rhythm. And it’s full of imagery that can light up anyone’s imagination, whatever their age.”

Parekh specializes in bringing literary language to lap readers. “When I first started reading to my own baby, I realized how quickly the words to a board book can get stuck in your head. It’s so easy to memorize! And you end up reading them over and over and over again. I thought, why not indulge kids’ love for rhyme and rhythm with something that will be fun for parents too?”

Classic English-language literature fits the profile, and paired with colorful illustrations and a storyline to let kids see cause and effect, it makes for a unique kind of board book.

Behowl the Moon, Parekh’s first book, earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, a recommendation from the Parents’ Choice Foundation, a feature in the Houston Chronicle and praise from Publishers’ Weekly and The Literary Review.

It’s now available from many Houston-area bookstores.

Parekh is launching a second Kickstarter campaign April 19 to create another book in the series: The Wild Waves Whist, pulling text from The Tempest and featuring original artwork by award-winning illustrator Mehrdokht Amini.

“It’s everything I want in a literary baby book,” Parekh said, “Amazing, exciting language that pulls you in and sticks in your head; a story with fun and trouble and surprises and a peaceful ending; beautiful imagery that is going to make the illustrations just irresistible. I can’t wait to share it with the world.”

While the Kickstarter campaign is live, Parekh is going “on tour” around Houston to raise support and bring the English language’s best-beloved writer to the preschool set.

“There are hundreds of ways to get into Shakespeare’s work, but it’s not this elite unapproachable grown-up thing. It’s meant to be entertainment—popular entertainment—and it belongs to the entire world. We should all feel entitled to get our hands in it, experiment, use it however makes us happy.”

• Thursday, April 19: Storytime at Barnes and Noble River Oaks, Houston, TX, 11 AM
• Friday, April 20: Birthday party at Barnes and Noble Baybrook, Webster, TX, 11AM
• Saturday, April 21: Earth Day Festival, Hope Farms, Houston, TX, 9AM-2PM (storytimes at 10:15AM and 1:15PM)

Image: Coutesy: Erin Nelsen Parekh

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