I first heard the term reluctant reader when my wife was working at a local elementary school during an internship that was one component required for her Education degree. She was an advocate of using comic books as a way to entice kids into reading. She herself had been a reluctant reader even in her early adult years. It was, in fact, comics that got her into reading regularly. I believe it was Bone and Strangers in Paradise that got her started. More comics followed but so too did novels, and now she likes to read every night.

I was soon to learn that my wife wasn't the only educator that liked to use comic books in the classroom. There are many such open-minded and forward thinking teachers. For them, the goal is to entice children to read. Comics are a great way to turn reluctant readers into readers.

Publisher Classical Comics understands the importance of reading, too, but this UK company takes the idea one step further. They've turned classical literature into comics and have marketed their books to educators.

From the quick text version of Henry V

Their first release is Shakespeare's Henry V. Three versions are available: The original, unedited text; a plain text version, which translates the complete work into plain English; and, quick text, which is the full story with reduced dialogue for easier reading. With these three versions, Classical Comics ensures students with varying degrees of literacy will be able to understand the story and participate in classroom discussion.

A class set of Henry V comes with the three versions of the graphic novel, plus teachers' resources, which were created to match the United Kingdom's curriculum guidelines. I don't know how those resources would fit into North American classrooms, but thumbing through the material makes me think the resources could be adapted to fit any educators' needs if Henry V is on the curriculum.

Some might think this is a dumbing down of Shakespeare for lazy readers, but educators know some students just aren't strong readers no matter how hard they try. This is where the plain text and especially the quick text versions are useful. The text is easier to read and comprehend, but the artwork also gives visual cues as to what is occurring. Classical Comics and the teachers that use these books in the classroom are ensuring no child misses the opportunity to experience one of Shakespeare's most important works.

Testimonials from educators, media, critics and even Shakespearean actors suggest Classical Comics has been well received in its native land. I think Patrick Stewart, a man that played his fair share of Shakespearean characters before he suited up as Professor X and Jean Luc Picard, says it best in a testimonial found on the Classical Comics Web site: "I'm fascinated by [the] approach to the play and its language. I find them gripping, dramatic and, although for me the original Shakespeare is always my reason for turning to these plays, I think that what [Classical Comics is] doing in illuminating and making perhaps [the play] more lucid, especially for young people, is clever and meaningful."

Also available from Classical Comics is Macbeth, with more titles on the way including Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol. These releases aren't necessarily for the average reader or comic reader. They are marketed toward educators, although one could see their presence being useful in a library or home setting as well.

Classical Comics isn't the first publisher to make comics out of classical works. Graphic Classics has been doing so for years with its line of adaptations, but so too did Elliot Publishing Company with its Classics Illustrated comics that were first printed in 1941 to 1962. First Comics partnered with Berkeley Publishing to obtain the rights for Classics Illustrated in 1990 and soon after the series returned with new adaptations and a line-up of artists that included the likes of Kyle Baker and Mike Ploog. Even Marvel Comic recently got into the game with its Marvel Illustrated adaptations announced for Treasure Island, Last of the Mohicans and Moby Dick. Where Classical Comics differentiates itself from the others, however, is its graphic novels contain the original, unabridged text, plus a packet of resources for teachers to use in the classroom.

Whether the comic contains the original text or an adapted version, it's about enticing young readers to read, introducing them to the Classics, and providing them with a chance to appreciate and understand great literature. That's how horizons are broadened. That's education. I applaud not only companies like Classical Comics, but also the educators, librarians and parents who recognize the educational potential of comics.