Quick! Whose brainchild was Shrek?

Betcha said Mike Meyers, didn't you?

Actually, the man who conceived of Shrek was William Steig, who would have been 100 years old today. Mike Meyers's blockbuster movie was adapted from Steig's 1990 book, Shrek!

For many years, William Steig was a cartoonist for the New Yorker. You'll find samples of his work in The Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker in the oversized books in the Music, Art and Media Department at MAM q741.5973 C. (This will also be a treat for fans of Charles Addams, another New Yorker cartoonist and the man behind the Addams Family.) For more of Steig's cartoons for adults, check out Ruminations at MAM 741.5 S.

Later in life, Steig turned to writing and illustrating children's books. He was quite successful, and garnered many awards for his efforts. Here is just a sampling:

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble won the Caldecott Medal, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and won other honors. "A rock-hunting expedition has surprising results when Sylvester Duncan, a young donkey, finds a magic pebble that grants one wish too many and seems to doom him to a stony future."

Dominic was a National Book Award finalist. "Dominic the dog finds many exciting adventures and great danger fighting the Doomsday Gang after he decides to see the world."

The Amazing Bone was a Caldecott Honor Book. "On her way home from school, Pearl finds an unusual bone that has unexpected powers."

Abel's Island was a Newbery Honor Book. "Castaway on an uninhabited island, Abel, a very civilized mouse, finds his resourcefulness and endurance tested to the limit as he struggles to survive and return to his home."

Amos and Boris: was a finalist for the National Book Award. "Amos the mouse and Boris the whale have little in common except that they are both mammals and save each other's lives."

So whatever the age of your inner child, stop by and take a look at this talented author/illustrator's works!