A Guinea Pig Romeo & Juliet was one of the first guinea pig books we had read together. I sought out stories featuring guinea pigs to create a special connection with my children, especially after we recently welcomed two new guinea pigs into our family home. We home educate our three children, and when we first read A Guinea Pig Romeo & Juliet from the Guinea Pig Classics series, the kids were eight and our twins were six. How did they react to their first taste of Shakespeare?
A Guinea Pig Romeo and Juliet
Our kids were instantly captivated by the adorable guinea pigs dressed in elaborate period costumes, which brought a sense of fun to the story’s famous tragedy.
A brief synopsis of this book is that Juliet falls in love with Romeo. Those two households hated each other. A fight breaks out resulting in Mercutio’s dmurder. Vengeance was then being sought against Romeo. Ultimately Juliet is put into a deep sleep, so that she and Romeo could be reunited. Juliet’s nurse discovers her and fears that she is dead. Romeo hears of the news and goes to her body in a morgue. He overdoses himself to be with his love forever. She then awakes to find Romeo is dead, and stabs herself to give herself the same fate.
Possible Themes To Consider Before Reading To Kids
Wow, Shakespeare’s writing and particularly the murder of Mercutio, and the double suicide of Juliet and Romeo is incredibly intense for a parent to read, let alone little children. My eight year old daughter came up from the bedrooms during the night saying she couldn’t sleep. She quickly started crying and cried for around 2 hours. Finally she expressed it was the sadness over the Romeo and Juliet story. We picked the book back up to look at the pictures again. Her tears dried up and she slept in Mummy and Daddy’s bed that night.
I was worried as to whether the content of this timeless classic was just too much for young children. My husband questioned my judgment over this one, and I have to admit, I did too. Parenting fail? I was preparing to offer my children a big apology in the morning, but once morning came I asked my daughter if she liked that guinea pig book and she instantly said yes.
Why I Liked A Guinea Pig Romeo and Julia, As A Mother of 3 Young Kids
Looking back, I would absolutely choose to share this book with my kids, regardless of their ages, again. The blend of visual delight, and gentle introduction to Shakespeare’s themes sparked curiosity and empathy in my eight year old, proving that even a tragic story can be a magical and memorable entry point into classic literature for young readers.
I also liked that the guinea pigs used in these stories are rescued from neglectful circumstances. This sparked a conversation with all of my kids at the dinner table about what neglect means, and why people would do that. These sorts of mature conversations may help shape their understanding of the wider world than our relatively safe home life. This may help them in the years to come have empathy for other children or animals in lesser fortunate situations.
Why My Kids Liked A Guinea Pig Romeo & Juliet
The charming photographs and simplified narrative made the classic tale accessible, even as my oldest daughter grappled with the bittersweet themes within the story.
My six year old daughter, on the other hand, found it ‘boring’. I guess the old fashioned English used in the Shakespeare story perhaps went over her head a little.
My six year old son hasn’t mentioned whether he liked the story or not. However he has repeatedly enjoyed looking at the photos of the little piggies.
How We Used the Book in Our Home Education
As a home-educating family, I’m always searching for creative ways to introduce big ideas in gentle, age-appropriate ways. After reading A Guinea Pig Romeo & Juliet, we used the story as a springboard for a discussion about the history of Shakespeare. These conversations all stemmed from my eight year old daughters questions, and my six year olds will have joined in and listened to our talks too. We talked about how this story was a tragedy, how certain authors and stories can evoke strong feelings, about actors and plays, and even have bought guinea pig outfits for our new pets to make a film version of A Guinea Pig Romeo & Juliet. The book also led us to explore other adaptations of classic tales, comparing how different authors and illustrators enjoy storytelling.
Conversations Sparked by the Story
One of the most meaningful outcomes was the conversation about emotions and empathy. My daughter’s tears showed me how deeply she connected with the characters, even when they were furry and dressed in velvet coats. We talked about how stories can make us feel sad, but that she’s loved no matter what she’s feeling. I also reminded her that I also cried my eyes out whilst reading the story to the kids, having never cried at Shakespeare when I read them at school. It was a gentle way to discuss loss, love, and the importance of caring for others – both people and animals.
The Value of Difficult Stories
Initially, I worried I’d made a mistake by sharing such a sad story. But looking back, I think it was a valuable experience. Children are often more resilient than we expect, and sharing difficult stories in a safe, loving environment can help them process big emotions. The visual humor and sweetness of the guinea pigs softened the blow, making the themes approachable rather than overwhelming.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Absolutely! I’d recommend A Guinea Pig Romeo & Juliet to other families, especially those with young animal lovers or those looking to introduce classic literature in a playful way. Just be prepared for big feelings, and use the opportunity to talk openly about the story’s themes. It’s a book that invites both heart-warming feelings at the cute guinea pig photos to thoughtful conversation – a rare combination.
Final Thoughts
On review, reading this book together was more than just a fun activity; it was a bonding experience that opened the door to new conversations and learning opportunities. Our guinea pigs may not wear ruffled collars (yet!), but they’ve become beloved family members, and stories like this one have helped us all appreciate their gentle, quirky charm even more.
We have already bought, and awaiting delivery of, Pride & Prejudice, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker by A Guinea Pig Classics. We cannot wait!
Gentle Parent 