Shrek!
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Shrek! is a picture book published in 1990 by American book writer and cartoonist William Steig, about a repugnant and monstrous green creature who leaves home to see the world and ends up saving a princess. The name "Shrek" is the romanization of the Yiddish word שרעק, corresponding to German Schreck and meaning "fear" or "fright", but also used as a common exclamation, often in the form Oy Shrek!.
The book served as the basis for the popular Shrek film series over a decade after its publication.
Plot
The story features a repugnant green monster named Shrek. Shrek can breathe fire and takes pleasure in being repulsive and destructive. After his parents force him to leave home, he meets a witch who foretells that a donkey will take him to a knight whom he will conquer, and marry a princess even uglier than himself. After meeting the donkey, he is taken to a castle where he defeats the knight. Inside, he meets an ugly princess and the two are married, living happily ever after.
Awards
- Publishers Weekly – Best Children's Books of the Year
- School Library Journal – Best Books of the Year
