William Steig
"When I was a child, everybody wore a hat. And people doffed," said William Steig, talking about his new picture book about his childhood in New York City early in the last century. At 95, William Steig has just completed his 42nd book, When Everybody Wore a Hat.
I had traveled to Boston to deliver a finished copy of the new book and to ask him to talk a bit about his life. His wife of more than 35 years, Jeanne Steig, joined us in conversation.
Bill Steig is one of our great living artists and the oldest living contributor to the New Yorker. He has illustrated all but six of his 42 books. He has won the Caldecott Medal, Caldecott and Newbery Honors, and the National Book Award, and he was nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal. One year-1977-he won both a Caldecott Honor (The Amazing Bone) and a Newbery Honor (Abel's Island); in 2001 his picture book, Shrek!, was adapted into one of the biggest-grossing children's films in recent years.
Steig reached far back to recall his earliest memories. He was born at home, in 1907, to a seamstress and a carpenter/house painter, but "there was never enough work." They were immigrants from Eastern Europe. "My parents spoke many languages: Polish, German, English. It was hard to know what they were saying but we learned the important words. We moved a lot. Our apartments were very small. There was no privacy."
Had he ever thought of writing an autobiography, other than the peek at the childhood provided in his new book? "I thought of writing it when I was about five years old," he said. "I don't think about myself much."
But did he like making books? "Sure. It's a hard question to answer, because there are many other reasons for making books-your bread and butter and similar reasons. I always had to make a living."
He drew and painted as a child, then went to the National Academy of Art in New York City "with the idea of learning how to make a living-drawing from a model and casts to start with," but he agreed when I suggested that formal art training probably works against free expression (he dropped out of Yale School of Fine Arts after five days).
Had he ever considered how he established his trademark style? "If I thought about it, I'd have to consider myself important." His parents were socialists-"everyone was back then"-and because of that, "it was looked down upon to be a doctor or lawyer or some such. An artist was okay."
After he began to sell his work he was able to support his parents, and didn't leave home until the early 1930s, when he got married for the first time, to Margaret Mead's sister, Elizabeth.
He started to sell his work to the New Yorker in 1930 "and that was it," said Jeanne, who was born that same year. "The very first time I went to the New Yorker," he said, "they wanted to buy just the picture without the caption on my first cartoon. So I asked my mother what I should do and she told me they had to take all or nothing, so that's what I told them and that's what they did."
He loves his new book, he said, because "I thought these pictures would make a nice story." It shows a world almost inconceivably long ago, with no radio or TV, few phones or cars. What does he think of life today? "It's a hard time now. I wish for what we all do: peace; busy, interesting lives."
He sums it all up gratefully: "I'm lucky. I've been able to do something I loved all my life."
Contributor: Joanna Cotler
Cotler is Senior VP and Publisher of Joanna Cotler Books at HarperCollins, and has edited seven of Steig's books.
For more about William Steig, visit his web page at www.williamsteig.com.
Reviews
A Handful of Beans
Jeanne Steig
Illustrated by William Steig
The Steigs have collaborated nicely on this modern reinterpretation of six classic fairy tales. Rumpelstiltskin, Beauty and the Beast, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, The Frog Prince, and Jack and the Beanstalk are retold with contemporary, tongue-in-cheek text that will be enjoyed by young and old alike. The thirty-four color illustrations in the classic Steig style are a perfect curmudgeonly accompaniment to the stories. Excellent for reading aloud. 1998, HarperCollins Publishers, $17.95 and $17.89. Ages 5 up. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger
ISBN: 0-06-205162-8
ISBN: 0-06-205163-6
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Capitol Choices, 1998 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 1999 ; Children's Literature; United States
Fanfare Honor List, 1998 ; Horn Book; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, October 1998 ; Cahners; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; California
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year Winner 1998 United States
Alpha Beta Chowder
Jeanne Steig
Pictures by William Steig
The Steigs have some fun with a cornucopia of words in this light verse tribute to the alphabet. From a to z, each poem plays with its letter adroitly, from abhorrent axolotles to "Feckless Father's Foolish Frolic" and "Shipwrecked Sailors Salvage Stilton." The poems should delightfully twist kids' tongues, while William Steig's usual wry illustrations will add appropriate flavor. Ogden Nash would be proud. 1992, HarperCollins, $5.95 and $14.89. Ages All. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr
Jeanne Steig's Alpha Beta Chowder is the most deliciously wicked ABC poetry book to appear in recent years. Ms. Steig delights readers with the saucy humor while she challenges their vocabulary quotients. "An Appetizer for Alexander", for example, begins "Abhorrent axolotl, scat! Unless you'd like to feed my cat," and ends with an explanation of what an axolotl is--"Amphibian, avoid thy fate. Slither off! Absquatulate!" Adults will enjoy as much as the kids her verbal agility and William Steig's outrageously funny caricatures. 1992, Harper, $15.00 and $5.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
ISBN: 0062050060
ISBN: 0062050079
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6, Tenth Edition, 1993 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 1993 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
C D B
William Steig
C D B!" "See the bee!" To some young readers, figuring out these word puzzles by reading each letter out loud will indeed by "E-Z S 1 2 3." For others, it will be as frustrating as optical illusions for people who just can't see the underlying image. William Steig, now 92 years old, obviously had fun thinking up his word puzzles. His silly cartoons were originally black-and-white and are now quite colorful; the pictures, especially the expressions, are often helpful in solving the puzzles. Ambitious youngsters will want to create their own similar puzzles. Thankfully, Steig provided an answer key for those of us who don't always get it or children who have not yet learned words like "ecstasy." The image of an absolutely delighted "L-C" in "X-T-C," however, may be perfect for marking that word forever in a child's memory. 2000 (orig. 1968), Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.00. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Karen Leggett
ISBN: 0689831609
Best Books:
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
A Gift from Zeus: Sixteen Favorite Myths
Jeanne Steig
Pictures by William Steig
In a rather "irreverent" light style of both text and watercolor illustrations, the daughter-father Steig team presents sixteen of the most popular Greek myths. Those who are familiar with Greek mythology would acknowledge an emphasis on the sexual encounters between gods/goddesses and humans; this collection exhibits that facet of the stories with little left to the imagination. The stories are presented in a humorous, light-hearted manner, while the illustrations are undeniably William Steig cartoon-like creations. In the right setting, with the right audience, the book could be great fun; however, one needs to be aware of the nudity in the illustrations and the openness of the text. Although probably written for a young adult audience, the book is best suited for an adult audience. 2001, Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins, $17.95 and $17.89. Ages Adult. Reviewer: J. B. Petty
Lovers of Greek mythology will enjoy the "lighter side" of these favorite myths. "Perseus," is written in a rhyming style, which helps the flow of the story. The essence of the myth makes for an enjoyable read. The illustrations go well with the myths, and the whole book is tied together with grace, beauty, and laughter. Who would ever get that impression with Greek mythology? This book is recommended for older children. It is a great read-aloud book that will tie well with a Greek mythology study unit or geography unit. Nonfiction (398.2). 2001, Joanna Cotler Books, 166p, $17.89. Grades n/a. Reviewer: Gloria Hummingbird (Heart Of Texas Reviews (Vol. 14, No. 3))
ISBN: 0060284056
ISBN: 0060284064
Best Books:
New York Times Notable Books, 2001 ; New York Times; United States
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books, 2001 ; Cahners; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, June 2001 ; Cahners; United States
Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Smithsonian Magazine's Notable Books for Children, 2001 ; Smithsonian; United States
Grown-Ups Get to Do All the Driving
William Steig
Steig, the author of Dr. DeSoto, Brave Irene, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and many others, is known for writing tales with a heavy moralistic undertone. This time, however, he seems just a little mean-spirited. Each page contains one of Steig's signature ink and watercolor illustrations, with a caption highlighting grown-up behavior from the child's point of view. Statements such as the title are fine, but others such as "grown-ups take a lot of pills" and "grown-ups are all cheapskates" present a skewed view of adults which isn't funny for those of us being lampooned and is certainly inappropriate for children. 1995, HarperCollins, $15.00 and $14.89. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-06-205080-X
ISBN: 0-06-205081-8
Best Books:
Children's Choices, 1996 ; International Reading Association; United States
Pete's a Pizza
William Steig
Parents and children alike will be giggling over this charming video adapted from the book. Pete is in a bad mood because it is raining and he can't play ball. Comedian Chevy Chase's droll voice narrates as the father creates a pizza out of his son, Pete, in order to cheer him up. He kneads the dough, adds the oil, tomatoes and cheese, tosses the "pizza" in the air, and places it in the oven (really placing the boy on the couch). Viewers will chuckle with Pete and his mother as Pete's father chases the "pizza" around the house. The music, composed and performed by Raul Malo, is reminiscent of old Italian folk tunes yet maintains a contemporary lightness and verve. This is a wonderful celebration of love between parent and child. While the video is only six minutes long, the warm, fuzzy feelings will last considerably longer. 2000, Weston Woods, $14.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-7882-0750-4
ISBN: 0-06-205157-1
ISBN: 0-06-205158-X
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Best Books, 1998 ; Parents Magazine; United States
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 1999 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Books That Comfort Us, 2002 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 1998 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Capitol Choices, 1998 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Children's Choices, 1999 ; International Reading Association; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 1999 ; Children's Literature; United States
Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1998 ; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Notable Books for Children, 1999 ; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books, 1998 ; Cahners; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, July 1998 ; Cahners; United States
Reading Magic Awards, 1998 ; Parenting; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; California
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 1998 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 1998 ; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 1999 Picture Books United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Buckeye Children's Book Award, 2001 ; Ohio
Flicker Tale Children's Book Award, 2000 ; North Dakota
The Golden Archer Award, 2000-2001 ; Wisconsin
Potch & Polly
William Steig
With pictures by Jon Agee
Potch, who was always "happy to be who and where he was," is smitten when he encounters "the preternatural Polly Pumpernickel" at a masquerade; unfortunately he makes a very bad impression. His ever more fantastic attempts to win her heart keep going badly wrong, to his dismay, until Polly turns out to be able to "give as good as she gets." The simply told tale of a match obviously made in heaven is filled with both verbal and visual fun. Agee's vigorous colored drawings are so overtly slapstick that we are ready to anticipate each new amorous overture. The contrast between short, tubby Potch and tall, angular Polly also helps generate laughs. Full-page scenes and vignettes incorporating bold calligraphic text in a comic-book style move the visual narrative along while adding comic emphasis. 2002, Farrar Straus and Giroux, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0374360901
Best Books:
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, August 2002 ; Cahners; United States
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
William Steig
Originally published in 1971, this Caldecott winner is being reissued along with a puzzle to commemorate its 25th anniversary as a favorite of children everywhere. Sylvester is a donkey who loves to collect pebbles. When he finds a particular round, red pebble, strange things begin to happen. This lovely fable, which is about being careful what you wish for, will delight young readers with its whimsical animal drawings and its happy resolution. The 10-piece puzzle seems too simple for a child willing to listen to a 25-page book, but the story is charming. 1995, Simon and Schuster, $9.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger
ISBN: 0689804172
Best Books:
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; California
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Emphasis on Reading: A Children's Choice Book Award Program Winner 1982-1983 Grades K-1 Alabama
Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner 1970 United States
Toby, What Are You?
Story by William Steig
Pictures by Teryl Euvremer
Toby, the anthropomorphic hero of Toby, Where Are You, enjoys imagining that he is all kinds of things, from doormat and clothes tree to flyswatter, mountain topped with snow, and wild animal. His patient parents guess what he is, sometimes correctly and sometimes not. When they finally get him to bed, he is ready to let his imagination loose in his dreams. In single and frequent double- page, detailed scenes with textured color, youngsters can follow his fun and games and perhaps expand their own imaginations. It is refreshing to see his father cooking dinner. 2001, Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins, $14.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
Toby has disappeared. He's hiding again. His parents are looking for him and they are just a tiny bit worried. Where is he? Is he behind Daddy's chair? No. Is he in the big pot? Nope. That would be silly. He's got to be somewhere! Warm watercolors and charming characters delight, and the text is simple and engaging. This classic picture book charms as the darling Toby is hidden in every illustration. This is a great book for young children. 1999 (orig. 1997), HarperCollins, $4.95 Ages 2 to 7. Reviewer: Dia L. Michels
ISBN: 0-06-205169-5
ISBN: 0-06-205170-9
ISBN: 0-06-205929-7
Best Books:
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, January 1997 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 1997 ; Cahners; United States
The Toy Brother
William Steig
Yorick is a mischievous boy who meddles with alchemy in his father's medieval workshop, and accidently shrinks himself to the size of a toy. He must depend on his little brother to protect him, but all his brother can do is amuse him by dressing the goat in his mother's clothes, and the pig in his father's. But amusement doesn't restore Yorick. When their parents come back, and all is finally well again, everyone has learned something about family love, "or at least, like." Not at all didactic, this is a clever, amusing story. 1996, HarperCollins, $14.95 and $14.89. Ages 5 up. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
ISBN: 0062050796
ISBN: 0062050788
Best Books:
American Booksellers Pick of the Lists, Spring, 1996 ; American Booksellers Association; United States
The Children's Literature Choice List, 1997 ; Children's Literature; United States
Lasting Connections, 1996 ; American Library Association; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, February 1996 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 1996 ; Cahners; United States
Smithsonian Magazine's Notable Books for Children, 1996 ; Smithsonian; United States
When Everybody Wore a Hat
William Steig
This collection of one-page vignettes is vintage Steig-the splayed furniture depictions, cockeyed renderings of people so familiar to those who know his New Yorker cartoons, the lined figures casually filled in with watercolors, in this case sepia-toned to fit the feeling of memory, and the sometimes deadpan telling. Steig remembers when his parents fought or his mother cried over news from the Old Country, the way movers hand-hauled heavy items up the stairs during his family's frequent moves, and what kids did to amuse themselves. Born in 1908, Steig spans the previous century and his many wonderful books for children have earned respect, awards, devoted fans, and laughter for decades. While this slight book has little use as historical memoir material for an elementary classroom study, it is awash in detail for those who love Steig. Its episodic structure also may encourage children to write, draw, and remember piecemeal the details of their own lives without having to give those details deep meaning or narrative continuity. The book opens with a photograph of a confident, curly-haired Steig climbing a tree in Brooklyn back before l920 and ends with another, a contemporary photo of a straightforward, grey-haired man squinting at the camera as if to say "Are you done? Can I get on with my work?" He writes, "I wanted to be an artist or a seaman...I did become an artist, but not a seaman." Thank goodness for everyone. 2003, HarperCollins, Ages 4 to Adult, $17.99. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-06-009700-0
Which Would You Rather Be?
William Steig
Pictures by Harry Bliss
With charming illustrations and sparse text, this clever picture book invites young readers to make choices on what they would rather be--a stick or a stone? an elbow or a knee? a snake or a crocodile? rain or snow? thunder or lightning? a grown-up or a kid? To make things more interesting, an animated rabbit wields a magic wand and acts as the inquisitor. During the questioning, a young boy and girl sit and listen intently, contemplating each question as objects and people magically appear from a magic hat. This book is filled with plenty of action and all kinds of interesting surprises. The humorous illustrations add to the effectiveness of this fun page-turner. Young readers will undoubtedly scream aloud their answers as they read each question in this delightful book. Not only is this book a great discussion starter, but it's also the perfect springboard for youngsters who want to create their own question-and-answer game. 2002, Joanna Cotler Books, $15.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Debra Briatico
William Steig is a Caldecott Medal winner. This simple book should win him another. The vivid pictures depict a rabbit pulling objects and people out of a magic hat and then asking the boy and girl, "which would you rather be?" This book aroused their curiosity and was the catalyst for an array of questions and answers! The children in my class sat and listened very attentively to this selection. Fiction. 2002, Joanna Cotler Books, Unpaged, $15.89. Grades PreK-K. Reviewer: Terri Rounsaville (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 1))
ISBN: 0060296534
ISBN: 0060296542
Best Books:
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 20, 2002 ; Cahners; United States
Wizzil
William Steig
Illustrated by Quentin Blake
British children's laureate Blake, and well-loved American writer and illustrator Steig have together produced a book that capitalizes on the zany genius of both of them. Wizzil, a bored witch, transforms herself into a fly to spy on and then torments the old farmer DeWitt Frimp, who, too old to milk cows, has plenty of time for fly swatting. As a fly, Wizzil "sallied down his nose, crossed his cheek, and tickled his ear with her tiny feet." Blake's typically scruffy illustrations show the fly's progress and DeWitt's agonized face in multiple views, followed by a stopped-action picture that is a blur of fly-swatting arms. There are details to delight in Wizzil's house--chicken legs hanging from the ceiling, toadstools under the bed, and a decanter with a finger for a stopper. In true Steig fashion there is a transformation of a living being into an inanimate object, as Wizzil decides to get revenge on DeWitt by turning herself into a work glove. In a surprise happy ending the loathsome Wizzil is accidentally transformed a last time, and DeWitt finds himself "hugging a surprisingly sweet old lady." 2000, Farrar Straus Giroux, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Linnea Hendrickson
ISBN: 0374384665
Best Books:
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 20, 2002 ; Cahners; United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2001-2002 ; Kentucky
Zeke Pippin
William Steig
Zeke finds a harmonica in the trash and amazingly begins to play beautiful music. He rushes home to impress his family but unfortunately, his music puts them to sleep even when it is merry. His music lulls all his listeners. Devastated, he runs away. On the road, he experiences some hair-raising adventures including being accosted by hoodlum dogs. Zeke is one smart pig as he persuades his adductors to let him play one last song. Discovery, loss, loneliness, and love are powerful themes that Steig employs so seamlessly. His luxuriant language lifts listeners to new levels of appreciation. 1994, HarperCollins, $15.00 and $5.95. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Jan Lieberman
When an harmonica falls of a trash truck, and Zeke (a young pig) retrieves it and becomes quite a virtuoso. He feels unappreciated by his family, however, as they fall asleep whenever he plays for them. He leaves home in a snit, but soon runs afoul of a group of bandits. He escapes with the help of his harmonica--it seems to put everybody to sleep! He finally wends his way home, the place where he belongs. Another charming, fanciful tale from Steig. 1994, HarperCollins, $15.00 and $5.95. Ages 5 to 12. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen
ISBN: 0-06-205076-1
ISBN: 0-614-19175-0
Best Books:
Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 1997 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, November 1994 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, December 1994 ; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Reading Magic Awards Winner 1994 United States
Added 06/01/03
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