Shrek!

Shrek! is a picture book written and illustrated by William Steig about a green monster who ventures away from home on a quest. The book features Steig's signature illustration style developed during his decades as a cartoonist for The New Yorker. The story centers on an ogre named Shrek, whose appearance and behavior defy traditional fairy tale hero conventions. His journey through a fantasy world introduces encounters with various creatures and challenges. The book presents themes of self-acceptance and finding one's place in the world. Through its unconventional protagonist and storyline, it challenges traditional fairy tale expectations about beauty and heroism.

Readers emphasize the book differs significantly from the movies, with many noting their children feel confused or disappointed by these differences. The original illustrations receive frequent mentions for their rough, sketchy style. Readers appreciate: - Dark humor and gross-out elements that appeal to kids - Shrek's unapologetic embrace of being "ugly" - Simple but memorable rhyming text - Short length for young attention spans Common criticisms: - Basic plot compared to the films - Limited character development - Crude illustrations that some find unappealing - Text too advanced for very young readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Several reviewers note buying it for movie fans but suggest reading it first to set proper expectations. One parent writes: "My kid loves the movies but this felt like a different character entirely. The artwork scared him."

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex The humorous poetry collection features misunderstood monsters dealing with everyday problems and inconveniences.

Ogres Don't Dance by Kirsty Smail An ogre breaks from tradition and expectations to pursue his passions despite what others think.

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch A princess subverts fairy tale conventions by rescuing a prince and deciding her own fate.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka The wolf tells his version of the classic tale, presenting himself as a misunderstood character who was victim to circumstances.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson A mouse invents a fearsome creature to protect himself, only to discover the creature exists and needs convincing that mice taste bad.

🌟 The original book was published in 1990, over a decade before the DreamWorks animated film adaptation, and features a notably different version of Shrek's character and story. 🌟 William Steig didn't start writing children's books until he was 61 years old, yet went on to create over 30 children's books during his career. 🌟 The name "Shrek" comes from the Yiddish word "shreck" meaning "terror" or "fear" - a fitting choice for a character meant to frighten others. 🌟 Unlike the movie version, the book's Shrek is more aggressive and actively enjoys being repulsive, spitting flames and proudly emanating an awful smell. 🌟 Steig's distinctive illustration style was influenced by his 73-year career as a cartoonist for The New Yorker magazine, where he published over 1,600 drawings.