Shrek! is a children's picture book published in 1990. Written and illustrated by American writer and cartoonist William Steig, it is about a repugnant monster who leaves home to see the world and ends up marrying an ugly princess. The book was generally well-received upon publication, with critics praising the illustrations, originality, and writing. Critics have also described Shrek as an antihero and noted the book's themes of satisfaction and self-esteem. The book served as the basis for the DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, which subsequently became a multimedia franchise.