Often regarding the "great books" as too difficult for elementary school age children to comprehend, teachers have given students reading assignments that are less than challenging and have risked causing them to dislike reading because it is relatively uninteresting. However, it is possible to expose very young children to works such as William Shakespeare's plays and poems because of the universal elements contained in the stories, and the fascination children have for his supernatural characters. Children can understand the struggle between parents and children in "King Lear" and come to love the fairies and sprites in "The Tempest" or "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The plots of the plays can be offered in a simplified manner using Miles'"Favorite Tales from Shakespeare," and Lamb's "Tales from Shakespeare." In addition, teachers can use several classroom activities that combine history, geography, physical education, and health education by telling them Shakespeare's personal history and explaining that America was being colonized at approximately the same time. Children can also look at a map and locate London and Stratford-upon-Avon, play some of the games or sing some of the songs mentioned in the plays, or try some of the foods from Shakespeare's day. It is likely that such early exposure to Shakespeare's work will make studying Shakespeare in the higher grades much easier. (An annotated bibliography of children's books, a selected bibliography for teachers, and lists of films, periodicals, and activities are included.) (JC)