Shrek! facts for kids
First edition cover, designed by William Steig
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| Author | William Steig |
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| Illustrator | William Steig |
| Cover artist | William Steig |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature, fairy tale parody |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
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Publication date
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October 17, 1990 |
| Media type | Print (paperback and hardcover) |
| Pages | 30 |
| ISBN | 978-0-374-36877-7 |
| OCLC | 22497777 |
| LC Class | PZ7.S8177 Sh 1990 |
Shrek! is a fun and imaginative children's picture book first published in 1990. It was written and illustrated by the American author and cartoonist William Steig. The story is about a very unique monster named Shrek who leaves his home to explore the world. On his journey, he meets a special princess and they end up getting married.
When the book was first released, people really liked it. Critics praised its amazing illustrations, original story, and clever writing. Many have described Shrek as an antihero, which means he's a main character who isn't always perfectly good or heroic in the traditional sense. The book also shares important messages about being happy with who you are and having self-esteem. This beloved book later inspired the famous DreamWorks Animation movie Shrek, which then grew into a huge multimedia franchise with more movies and even a musical!
Contents
Discovering the World of Shrek!
The Story Behind the Book
William Steig's Creative Journey
William Steig had a long and interesting career before he started writing children's books. For many years, from the 1930s to the 1960s, he was a cartoonist for The New Yorker magazine. He drew over 1,600 cartoons and was even called "The King of Cartoons." However, he didn't enjoy creating advertisements. So, at the age of sixty-one, he decided to try something new: writing children's books! He was already in his eighties when he created Shrek!.
Steig's children's books became known for their special themes. They often showed stories about children being separated from their parents and then having warm reunions. His books also kept the clever humor that was a big part of his cartoons. Other common themes in his stories included changes and transformations. The artwork in his children's books was famous for its "rich" and vibrant colors. He created these illustrations using watercolor painting and ink, much like his cartoons in The New Yorker.
What Does "Shrek" Mean?
The name "Shrek" has an interesting origin! It comes from the Yiddish word "שרעק" (shrek) or "שרעקלעך" (shreklekh). These words are similar to the German word "Schreck" and mean "fear" or "fright." The book Shrek! was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Shrek's Big Adventure
Shrek's Journey Begins
Shrek was a very unique monster, even more so than his parents! From a young age, he could breathe fire and puff smoke from his ears. His presence was so strong that even the swamp creatures respected him.
The main character, Shrek, is a green-skinned, fire-breathing monster who seems almost impossible to harm. He enjoys his own special way of life with his unique appearance. One day, his parents decide it's time for him to go out into the world and explore. They send him off from their home in a swamp.
Soon after leaving, Shrek meets a witch. In exchange for some rare lice he has, she tells him his fortune. She says that if he says the magic words "Apple Strudel," a donkey will take him to a castle. There, he will face a knight and marry a princess who is just as unique as he is.
Meeting the Princess
Excited about his fortune, Shrek continues his journey. He encounters a farmer and takes a pheasant for a meal. He bravely faces a thunder, lightning, and rain storm, even "eating" a lightning bolt! He also knocks out a dragon with his fiery breath. While resting, he has a strange dream about being surrounded by many children. When he wakes up, he meets the donkey, who leads him to the castle.
At the castle, Shrek meets the knight guarding it. The knight is surprised by Shrek's demands to see the princess and attacks him. Shrek responds with a blast of fire, sending the knight into the surrounding moat. Inside the castle, Shrek is briefly scared when he sees what looks like an army of creatures similar to him. But he soon realizes he is just in a hall of mirrors and feels confident again. Finally, he meets the princess. They find each other perfectly wonderful and unique. They get married and live "happily ever after" in their own special way, enjoying their unique lives together.
From Book to Big Screen
The Shrek Movies and Musical
The story of Shrek! became very popular and led to a whole franchise! In 1991, Steven Spielberg bought the rights to the book. He planned to make a traditionally animated (2D) film. This early idea would have featured Bill Murray as the voice of Shrek and Steve Martin as Donkey.
However, DreamWorks later bought the rights to the book for about $500,000 in November 1995. They began actively developing the film. The movie Shrek was released on May 18, 2001. It was made using CGI (computer-generated imagery) and starred the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. The film was a huge success with both critics and audiences. It even won the very first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature!
The first movie was followed by several other popular films: Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010). A fifth film, Shrek 5, is planned for 2027. The first Shrek film was also adapted into a Broadway musical in 2008, bringing the story to the stage.
Many people have pointed out the differences between the Shrek movie and William Steig's original book. The film added new characters and changed some parts of the plot and its messages. However, William Steig himself said he really liked the movie! He noted that it greatly increased the sales of his book.
See also
In Spanish: Shrek! para niños
