The One and Only Shrek! [Hardcover]

William Steig (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Before Shrek made it big on the silver screen, there was William Steig’s SHREK!, a book about an ordinary ogre who leaves his swampy childhood home to go out and see the world. Ordinarily, that is, if a foul and hideous being who ends up marrying the most stunningly ugly princess on the surface of the planet is what you consider ordinary. SHREK! can be found in this collection of six modern picture-book classics by Steig, along with stories concerning creatures ordinary and extraordinary—from Irene, a brave and loving little girl who must battle a howling blizzard, to Spinky, a boy who is so completely annoyed by his family that he no longer has any use for the human race. Gathered together for the first time, these entertaining stories will delight fans of Steig, both old and new.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[An] "engrossing and satisfying tale." --Publishers Weekly

"Sure to enchant any child lucky enough to read it...Such an ingratiating, cheery book that no one will be able to resist it." --The Washington Post Book World

About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator and author of award-winning books for children, including Shrek!, on which the DreamWorks movies are based. Steig was born in New York City. Every member of his family was involved in the arts, and so it was no surprise when he decided to become an artist. He attended City College and the National Academy of Design. In 1930, Steig’s work began appearing in The New Yorker, where his drawings have been a popular fixture ever since. He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968.

 

In 1970, Steig received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. His books for children also include Dominic; The Real Thief; The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book; Amos & Boris, a National Book Award finalist; and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. Steig's books have also received the Christopher Award, the Irma Simonton Black Award, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and the American Book Award. His European awards include the Premio di Letteratura per l'infanzia (Italy), the Silver Pencil Award (the Netherlands), and the Prix de la Fondation de France. On the basis of his entire body of work, Steig was selected as the 1982 U.S. candidate for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration and subsequently as the 1988 U.S. candidate for Writing.

 

Stieg also published thirteen collections of drawings for adults, beginning with About People in 1939, and including The Lonely Ones, Male/Female, The Agony in the Kindergarten, and Our Miserable Life.

 

He died in Boston at the age of 95.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Square Fish; First Edition edition (April 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312367139
• ISBN-13: 978-0312367138
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, and received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (978-1416902065) in 1970. His works also include The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. His most recent books published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux are Shrek! (released by DreamWorks as a major motion picture) and Wizzil, illustrated by Quentin Blake. School Library Journal named Shrek! a Best Book of 1990 and said of it, "Steig's inimitable wit and artistic dash have never been sharper or more expertly blended."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN AUDIOBOOK FAR TOO GOOD TO MISS, May 25, 2007

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The One and Only Shrek! (Audio CD)

What better way to launch a line of children's audiobooks than with a pair of the best actors to be found? Audio Renaissance couldn't have chosen better. The terrific twosome, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci, narrate with not only sterling acting ability but with joy, elan, assurance. Give them the works of artist/author William Steig and you have an audiobook that both children and adults will find irresistible, one to be heard over and over again.

The late Mr. Steig would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year and, most likely would have been delighted to hear his six stories read by an Academy Award winner and a highly acclaimed actor. A beloved author and artist of children's book, Mr. Steig received countless honors during his lifetime, including a Newbery Honor Book, Caldecott Honor Book, New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year and on it goes.

He was a bit of a rascal when he wrote including a few big words for children to learn, and he had the amazing ability to speak directly to youngsters as his stories addressed their daily lives, their hopes and fears. He once said, ""I think I like kids more than the average man does. I can relax with them, more than I can among adults . . . Children are genuine . . . I like to think that I've kept a little innocence. Probably I'm too dumb to do anything else." Not dumb at all but supremely intelligent, and we are all the better for it.

Meryl Streep reads Brave Irene, Spinky Sulks, and The Amazing Bone to a fare-thee-well, and Stanley Tucci delivers Shrek!, Dr. DeSoto, and Caleb and Kate.

Streep easily segues from the determined young Irene to poor Spinky who thinks his family doesn't love him. What an actress! Tiny Dr. DeSoto who was liked by large animals because he could work in their mouths while wearing rubbers is one of my favorite Steig inventions, yet I didn't fully appreciate him until Mr. Tucci gave his story voice.

This is an audiobook far too good to miss - enjoy!

- Gail Cooke

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read aloud by award-winning actor and actress Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep, June 10, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The One and Only Shrek! (Audio CD)

The One and Only Shrek! Plus 5 Other Stories is an unabridged audiobook on CD of the original children's fantasy short story that inspired the wildly popular "Shrek" movies. The five additional stories include tales about a boy so annoyed by his family that he decides he has no need for the human race, a brave girl's battle with a merciless blizzard, and more. Read aloud by award-winning actor and actress Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep, these brief yet delightful modern children's classics are sure to entertain, and is especially recommended for fans of the "Shrek" movie. 1 CD, 1 hour.

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming Stories in Print or on CD, July 25, 2011

By 

Franz Metcalf (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The One and Only Shrek! (Hardcover)

I've never read a William Steig book I didn't like. This very large and thick book collects six lovely stories and represents a fantastic bargain in children's books.

Note: If you're looking into the audio version, with Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci, it is marvelous. We have both the book and the CD and we love them. As I say, Steig doesn't disappoint, neither do Streep and Tucci (and if you know their work in film, you know the standard that sets is very high). Of course here you miss Steig's wonderfully crotchedy illustrations, but you get some priceless readings that will stay with you always.

Heck, buy them both!