The One and Only Shrek! [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

William Steig (Author), Meryl Streep (Reader), Stanley Tucci (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

To mark the 100th birthday of William Steig and in anticipation of the next blockbuster movie Shrek the Third, Audio Renaissance presents the must-have collection of Steig classics featuring everyone's favorite ogre, read by Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Since one of the great pleasures of Steig's books is the language he uses, it's a particular delight to have the recording of The One and Only Shrek! Plus Five Other Stories read by Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. You can really hear that the brilliance of 'Shrek' lies in the language Steig uses...one of the most delightful moments is when Shrek accosts a peasant, who is busy 'singing and scything,' and Tucci snarls Shrek's greeting: 'You there, varlet, why so blithe?' Shrek then robs the yokel of his lunch: 'Pheasant, peasant? What a pleasant present!'"--Los Angeles Times

 

"Listeners will surely hear the glee dripping from the full-bodied, though never over-the-top, performances by Streep and Tucci." - PW (starred review)

 

"I did, I admit, compare my narrative abilities to those of Tucci and Streep...And yes, they were better. What did you expect? But what great material they had to work with." - Malcolm Jones, Newsweek

 

"Since one of the great pleasures of Steig's books is the language he uses, it's a particular delight to have the recording of "The One and Only Shrek! Plus Five Other Stories" read by Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. You can really hear that the brilliance of "Shrek" lies in the language Steig uses rather than in the slender story. The ogre's extreme repulsiveness gives Steig plenty of opportunity to trot out a vile vocabulary, but one of the most delightful moments is when Shrek accosts a peasant, who is busy "singing and scything," and Tucci snarls Shrek's greeting: "You there, varlet, why so blithe?" Shrek then robs the yokel of his lunch: "Pheasant, peasant? What a pleasant present!" - The Los Angeles Times

 

"Both actors give masterful performances."--Booklist

 

"If you haven't already experienced the real, Steig version of Shrek!, here's a chance to do so...This compilation makes entertaining listening for the whole family.  Streep in particular reads with great flexibility and warmth of expression."

- Thestar.com

“If you’re among Steig’s many adult fans, you won’t want to miss this.” – Cookie Magazine

"What better way to learn the original story of Shrek than by listening to it on this unabridged recording...Meryl Streep is her best while reading Brave Irene...And let's not forget Mr. Tucci. He brilliantly interprets the stories and interjects energy and a light-hearted touch to all he reads." – TeensReadToo.com

 

About the Author

William Steig's drawings began appearing in THE NEW YORKER in 1930. He published his first children's book, ROLAND THE MINSTREL PIG, in 1968, and received the Caldecott Medal for SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE 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.

 

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners; Unabridged edition (April 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1427201528
• ISBN-13: 978-1427201522
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #993,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Books on CD > Authors, A-Z > ( S ) > Steig, William

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
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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!