William Steig

             We all know Shrieks signature trumpet ears, what many people may not realize is that these ears where designed by William Steig for his children’s book of the same name. You will of course find this book quite a bit different from the film version, as usual the movies little represent the book, none the less the success of such designs is a testament to the creativity of William Steig’s artwork, and the imagination and brilliance of his children’s books. One of the things that makes William Steig so unique is his ability to tackle themes that others might shy away from. In “The Amazing Bone” a young pig girl is kidnapped by a wolf. Though a wolf accosting a girl in the woods is nothing new this story makes clear that this girl is good and has done nothing to put herself in this dangerous position. This books importance lies in the fact that indeed rarely do children ever put themselves in a bad position, bad things can simply happen, and this books helps parents show that in a safe place, and a safe environment and with a happy ending made possible by a magical bone that the girl befriends.

            The book Doctor De Soto is interesting because it is about the dangers of helping dangerous people, but it is also about how cleverness may be used to help those who need it. In this story filled with Steig’s fun watercolor illustrations a mouse dentist takes on a fox as a client. Knowing that this is dangerous the mouse has the fox return many times, and on the last time rather then simply treat the fox he outsmarts him, and so saves himself from being eaten while also helping out a creature in need.

            Perhaps one of his more interesting stories is the story of Yellow and Pink in which two martinets argue the ideas behind Creationalism and Evolution in a humorous and child like way.

            In all of these stories William Steig utilizes his wonderful ability to create fun childlike ink and watercolor drawings. Such drawings would make great children’s wall art as will as wonderful displays for bookshelves and other items.