Brave Irene

William Steig (1907-2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator and author of award-winning books for children, including Shrek!, on which the DreamWorks movies are based. Steig was born in New York City. Every member of his family was involved in the arts, and so it was no surprise when he decided to become an artist. He attended City College and the National Academy of Design. In 1930, Steig’s work began appearing in The New Yorker, where his drawings have been a popular fixture ever since. He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968. In 1970, Steig received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. His books for children also include Dominic; The Real Thief; The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book; Amos & Boris, a National Book Award finalist; and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. Steig's books have also received the Christopher Award, the Irma Simonton Black Award, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and the American Book Award. His European awards include the Premio di Letteratura per l'infanzia (Italy), the Silver Pencil Award (the Netherlands), and the Prix de la Fondation de France. On the basis of his entire body of work, Steig was selected as the 1982 U.S. candidate for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration and subsequently as the 1988 U.S. candidate for Writing. Steig also published thirteen collections of drawings for adults, beginning with About People in 1939, and including The Lonely Ones, Male/Female, The Agony in the Kindergarten, and Our Miserable Life. He died in Boston at the age of 95.

Meryl Streep is one of the most celebrated and award-winning actresses in the history of film.  She holds the record for the most nominations for Academy Awards--earning her 16th nomination for her role as Julia Childs in Julie & Julia--and has won twice, for Sophie's Choice and Kramer vs. Kramer.  She has also garnered two Emmy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and six Drama Desk Awards. In 2004, she was awarded the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award.  She recently appeared in the films Julie & Julia, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt, Mamma Mia! and It's Complicated.  Meryl narrated the Grammy-nominated The One and Only Shrek! by William Steig for Macmillan Audio.