The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast | ELA 169: Turning Classics into Graphic Novels, with Gareth Hinds
Gareth Hinds has created appealing graphic novel versions of many great classics of English literature, like The Odyssey, The Iliad, Beowulf, and Shakespeare's plays. In this episode, find out how to use them in class to help deepen engagement.
Gareth Hinds is an English Teacher’s superhero. He takes the most challenging works of classic literature for our students, spends years studying them deeply, and creates graphic adaptations students get excited about reading.
I mean, come on! How great is that? With highly regarded adaptations of The Odyssey, The Iliad, Poe’s stories, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Beowulf, and more, Gareth Hinds is quickly moving through the canon to create colorful, accessible, dare-I-say FUN versions of classics students often struggle with.
Today on the podcast, we’re talking about the visual language of graphic adaptation, how Gareth researches and creates his works, and his top tips for classroom teachers using his adaptations. Honestly, I wish every school in America had copies of his works, and I’m so thrilled he could take the time to talk to us. This is a great episode, and I’m so glad you’re here for it! Let’s dive in.
From Gareth’s Website:
“Gareth Hinds is the creator of critically-acclaimed graphic novels based on literary classics, including Beowulf (which Publisher’s Weekly called a ‘mixed-media gem’), King Lear (which Booklist named one of the top 10 graphic novels for teens), The Merchant of Venice (which Kirkus called ‘the standard that all others will strive to meet’ for Shakespeare adaptation), The Odyssey (which garnered four starred reviews and a spot on ten ‘best of 2010’ lists), Romeo and Juliet (which Kirkus called ‘spellbindin’), and Macbeth (which the New York Times called ‘stellar’ and ‘a remarkably faithful rendering’).
Gareth is a recipient of the Boston Public Library’s ‘Literary Lights for Children’ award. His books can be found in bookstores and English classrooms across the country, and his illustrations have appeared in such diverse venues as the Society of Illustrators, the New York Historical Society, and over a dozen published video games.”
Discover Gareth’s Website.
Explore his Teaching Guides.
Connect with Betsy:
Explore Alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast.
Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook.
Come hang out on Instagram.
Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the ‘gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you!