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Get Caught Shreking
Shrek + Monsters and Miracles: A Journey through Jewish Picture Books
One of the most successful animated films of all time, Shrek is based on an endearing upside-down fairy tale by illustrator and author William Steig. Next week, the latest (and reportedly last) sequel opens; in Shrek Forever After, our warty hero finds himself in an alternate universe (think It's a Wonderful Animated Life) where he struggles to be reunited with his family, and his beloved Princess Fiona. Shrek, which leapt from book to screen in 2001, wins our hearts by telling the truth about romance, giving ugly a good name by teaching that true beauty lies within. Celebrity voices from Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow and Eddie Murphy (as a motormouth donkey) put the movie on the map -- all return in Shrek Forever After -- but the savvy modern sensibility will keep the lovable ogre in our hearts forever.
Most kids haven't a clue that Shrek sprang from the pages of a picture book, and the new show at Skirball Cultural Center offers families the chance to know the green star's first incarnation - a belching, stinky (and very, very cranky) ogre in a story by author and illustrator William Steig. A simple illustration of a fat green ogre on a donkey hangs quietly in the gallery, and it's incredible to think how big an empire was created from this single image. Other seminal works hang inconspicuously nearby: drawings by Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle, H.A. Rey, Mordicai Gerstein and many others. Monsters and Miracles: A Journey through Jewish Picture Books is presented in galleries that have been divided up by huge, ceiling sized book covers and each little nook and cranny of the clever space has a station that will intrigue kids -- from dressing up your own monster, to drawing your own illustration to listening to celebrities read books on one of the many iPod Touches that are situated around the gallery. Shrek isn't the only monster in the show; the show traces scary picture book demons back to Jewish golems and dybbuks - suddenly, the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are seem less random. Best of all is the chance to meet hilarious characters from contemporary authors such as Lemony Snicket and David Goldin. With iPod Touch stations around the exhibit, and gallery-sized books that cleverly divide the space, you'll know you're in book heaven.
Our Buttery Bits of Wisdom about this Film;
- Why It's Worth It: The original film is pure delight - the filmmakers took great pleasure in having audiences fall in love with their disgusting main character and clearly revel in sending up the traditions of the Disney fairy tale. The message of the film is also wonderful - that true loves lies within and that beauty is only skin deep. A staple of childhood.
- WIN FREE TICKETS to an IMAX 3D screening: Click here and write to us if you want to win five tickets to an IMAX screening of your choice.
- Red Flags: The film has a wicked sense of humor, so any child to whom the sanctity of fairy tales is an issue will not appreciate the way our conventional ideas of romance and form are sent-up in Shrek.
- Further Viewing: Of course, there are three sequels -- the most recent of which will be released on May 21, 2010. Kids should definitely read Steig's book, which is decidedly more dastardly and even lustier than the cleaned-up animated tale. The poetry of love between Shrek and Fiona is classic and hilarious. Take time to explore his other books, including Pete's a Pizza, CDB! and Caldecott Winner, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.
Our Tips for Talking with your kids about this Film:
- Literary Savvy: William Steig was a cartoonist for adults for most of his life, writing for The New Yorker; he didn't start drawing kids stories until he was 60 years old. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is one of his most beloved stories. Click here for a link to a show about Steig organized by The Jewish Museum (NY), that includes an online gallery of drawings.
- Sequel Savvy: Kids can begin to develop critical thinking skills by comparing the four Shrek films. Why is one their favorite? Do they think the 3D technology helps the latest Shrek film?
Monsters and Miracles: A Journey Through Jewish Picture Books
Family Day, Sunday May 16 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (free Shrek Forever After posters for first 200 visitors!)
Exhibit ongoing at Skirball Cultural Center through August 1, 2010
2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, LA 90049
Age Recommendation: 6 and up
Time Allotment: an hour
Our Buttery Bits of Wisdom about this Adventure:
- What Worked for Us: It's nice to get lost in the space, with large spines of books as room dividers and stations for kids to play at. Of course, seeing a few iPod Touch stations around the room makes kids feel right at home -- and they could get lost listening along as celebrities such as Paul Reiser, Ed Asner and Leonard Nimoy read the stories from the books they could hold in their hands. We also loved the Hanoch Piven show in the lobby, wacky celebrity portraits.
- Other Monsters and Miracles related programming: On June 13, come here Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) and Lisa Brown discuss their book The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story. On June 26, come for a Monsters and Miracles Sleepover.
- Before You Go: Check on your bookshelves to see how many kid books you own that are written by the illustrators presented in this show, and help the kids realize the emotional importance of these simple works of art.
- The Skirball Cultural Center's Website: Explore the many wonderful exhibits at the Skirball by clicking here. You'll find adult education, teen programs and plenty of intellectual stimulation. We love the current Hanoch Piven show, and... of course, Noah's Ark.
Our Tips for extending this Adventure:
- Eric Carle Museum: In Northampton, MA, there is a whole museum dedicated to the artwork of Eric Carle, of The Very Hungry Caterpillar fame. If you are ever in the area, it is worth stopping by to see a place wholly devoted to the art of children's book illustration. We loved our visit this past spring, that was prompted by the knowledge that this incredible Skirball show was organized in conjunction with the Eric Carle Museum. Click here for more information about this gem of a museum.
