There are two questions to ask about this biography: does it contain the kind of information a young person needs to know about the life of William Shakespeare? And does the book’s pop-up format enhance the story significantly?

It’s a pleasure to report that the answer to both is yes. In All the World’s a Stage: William Shakespeare, Vancouver’s Michael Bender – with book designer Vandy Ritter – has put together a thorough and instructive life of the Bard that will be equally useful for young readers engaged in class projects, and those reading for their own information and enjoyment.

Throughout the text are details about how Shakespeare came to be a writer, his family life, and his numerous contributions to the English language. There is also a wealth of information about the development of theatre and play-writing that puts the biographical story into a larger context. Bender has highlighted key words in the text like “sonnets,” “manuscript,” and “apprentice” and defines them in a glossary. A thorough chronology also appears at the back of the book.

The real value of this biography, however, lies in the way the text is complemented by pop-up illustrations, which demonstrate what Shakespearean characters might have looked like, how the plays were staged, and typical scenes of England during the playwright’s time. Because theatre is all about motion, many of the illustrations have moveable or openable parts to them, which adds to their effectiveness. The three-panel cutaway of the Globe Theatre depicting its entrance, stage, and behind-the-scenes action is an especially good use of this format. In all, it’s a very effective biography.