Publisher Description

Roland the pig plays the lute and sings so sweetly that his friends never have enough of listening to him. He has bigger dreams, though, so he decides to take his show on the road and share his music with the world. He has a hard time finding an audience and is lonely at first, but then a fox named Sebastian appears and offers to take him to perform before the King. Little does Roland know, Sebastian actually plans on eating him. Just as Sebastian starts to lower Roland over a firepit to roast him and all seems lost, the King appears to save the day, and both Sebastian and Roland get the ending they deserve. Roland the Minstrel Pig is a classic picture book by Shrek creator William Steig.

Author Biography

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. 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. He died in Boston at the age of 95.

Review

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. 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. He died in Boston at the age of 95.

Review Quote

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. 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. He died in Boston at the age of 95.

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