The One and Only Shrek!: Plus 5 Other Stories

by William Steig

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312367139
• ISBN13: 9780312367138
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Square Fish
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 2.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.3" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Good Stories!

I bought this book for my three grandchildren, girls, who like the Shrek movies. I didn't know about the book until recently, so I bought it so the girls could see the correlation between the book and the movies. There is just one short story about Shrek that makes him less loveable than the movie does, but it's still a good story. But the other stories in the book are just great, good to read aloud. My favorite is the Amazing Bone, about a bone that talks! Kids from 4 - 12 will enjoy this book, highly recommended.

Wish I had bought more copies

I bought a copy for my son and wish I'd bought more for gifting later. We'd checked out the Shrek book from the library, and he loved it! This book has wonderful illustrations and I just can't say enough about it. It's a true bargain and steal at 80% off!

Read aloud by award-winning actor and actress Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep

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.

Great collection

I bought this for my nine-year-old daughter. We are both big fans of William Steig. This book brings together some of his best stories in a nice big book. It is already one of our favorite choices for bedtime reading. It should be a part of every child's library.

AN AUDIOBOOK FAR TOO GOOD TO MISS

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