The New Yorker cartoonist who became a legend by writing children's books at 61

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: William Steig was already a celebrated New Yorker illustrator when he pivoted to children's literature in his sixties. He went on to create iconic works like Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and Shrek, proving that his unique, emotionally honest artistic vision could captivate both cynical adults and young readers alike.

Born in 1907 to socialist parents in Brooklyn, William Steig was encouraged to pursue art as a way to avoid the exploitation of labor. After dropping out of three different art schools, he found his footing during the Great Depression by selling cartoons to The New Yorker. By the time he reached his sixties, he had contributed over 2,600 drawings and 117 covers to the magazine, earning him the title 'King of Cartoons.' His work was noted for being visual first and verbal second, a departure from the style of contemporaries like Peter Arno.

In 1936, Steig began creating 'symbolic drawings' that explored complex human emotions, such as the distress of curmudgeonly hermits. While these were initially considered too personal for The New Yorker, they eventually shifted the greeting card industry toward more realistic sentiments. His fascination with the human condition was deeply influenced by the pseudoscientist Wilhelm Reich, whose theories on orgone energy and societal repression Steig credited with saving his life. This philosophical depth permeated his later work, even as he transitioned into the world of children's books.

Steig’s second act began in 1968 at age 61, when he published Roland the Minstrel Pig. He quickly mastered the medium, winning the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble in 1969. Despite controversy—such as the banning of Sylvester for its depiction of police as pigs—he continued to write into his nineties. His most famous creation, Shrek!, was published in 1990 when he was 83. The subsequent film adaptation became a massive success, and Steig, ever the contrarian, famously described the movie as 'vulgar' and 'disgusting' while admitting he loved it. He died in 2003 at age 95, leaving behind a legacy of constant renewal and artistic brilliance.

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