Shrek! Paperback – Picture Book, September 2, 2008

I got this book, because I'm involved in a production of Shrek the Musical at my local community theatre. I didn't realize that the movie was based on a book! It's absolutely adorable and hilarious, and the pictures are just amazing. I think the musical does a better job of staying closer to the source material than the movie does, in the sense that it shows Young Shrek being sent off on his ogry way. It's such a fun story, and has such heart. Both kids and adults are going to love it!

About every two years, I go out of my way to write a review of a product I really liked or think other people will enjoy.This is one. Now, my kids are 6 and 2 now. I bought this book because I thought I could read it to them. I don’t recommend you do that. I’ll explain why.This book is chaos. It makes no sense. The shrek in this novel is not the same shrek in the movies. He is much more muchness and the embodiment of chaotic evil. He can eat lightning and shoot lasers from his eyes. I’m not joking this actually happens in the book.The book has a few similarities with the movie. There is a talking donkey and shrek marries an ugly princess. That is exactly where any similarities end and that is at a full stop.Honestly, I’ve been afraid to read this book to my kids because I’m not sure how they will react. However, I found the book highly entertaining and humorous if only because it ridiculous and makes absolutely no sense.This could be a fun prank to pull on grandparents. Hear me out hear. Say your that self proclaimed “fun aunt”. Buy this book and give it to grandma to read to the kids. Tell grandma “hey, it’s Shrek, you know…the green guy from the movies, the kids will love it”. Hand the book over, get a glass of Chardonnay, sit back, and watch grandma come unglued as she has no idea what she been handed. If someone does actually do this, I hope they leave a review on that experience.

I've never seen, nor have I ever desired to see the movie Shrek. It looks stupid in one of those washed up, corny, bad-jokes-to-draw-in-the-adult-crowd kinda ways. So, I was surprised when I saw the movie was actually based on William Steig's work, and my curiosity prompted me to order this book for my kids.The Amazing Bone is touted as being one of Steig's most bizarre works, but I think Shrek tops that one, easily.As an incredibly horrid ogre, who wholeheartedly embraces his nastiness, Shrek lumbers about the landscape spewing blue flames, emitting putrid smells, and casually insulting any who cross his path. His nightmares consists of children hugging him. Even thunder and lightning are appalled by the sight of him and flee his presence. He meets a princess (the only one welcome in our household) who is positively disgusting, and they coo and carry on through a number of amusing verses, finally marrying and living "horribly ever after".I think I may have met the prototype for a Shrek a few times over in my life.The story isn't bad, and is really quite amusing. I don't personally feel that it's a moral commentary on "even the ugliest creatures deserve love" or anything of that nature, though it does seem to be the antithesis of the classic fairy tale. Most importantly, it is a great deal of fun to read. I think what makes the story, as do so many Steig books, is the language. It's interesting, and at times laugh-out-loud funny, not dumbed-down, and always just the perfect fit. Steig's artwork is very straightforward, but his writing is something to behold.I still don't think I'll watch the movie anytime soon, especially since it bears little resemblance to the book from what little I know of it. The book I would highly recommend. It's a pleasure to read and a thrill to listen to, if my girls are any indication.

Yes, it’s a children’s book…and it’s hilarious. It’s also nice to see where Shrek began its amazing empire.

My girlfriend enjoyed receiving this. It's interesting to know more of the lore about the ogre.

We are big fans of both the works of William Steig and the Shrek movies but this book fell a little short of our expectations. I was not expecting the movie version based on the other reviews but I expected a bit more to the story. It was actually fairly brief compared to some of his other books. The drawings were great and Shrek was a nice change from ordinary storybook characters. I would recommend this book but if you are new to William Steig I would start with "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" or "Doctor De Soto."

I had no idea Shrek was a book before the movies until I stumbled upon this book one day. My 1 year-old is obsessed with Shrek, so of course I had to get him the book, too. And he loves it. 💚

An excellent primer for early poetry and message of self acceptance and affirmation. One of our families favorites. William Steig is such a fun author and illustrator to explore. Love his work