Maurice Sendak, June 10, 1928 – May 8, 2012
Sendak “wrenched the picture book out of the safe, sanitized world of the nursery and plunged it into the dark, terrifying and hauntingly beautiful recesses of the human psyche.”
– NYTimes obituary, May 8 2012
What is your favorite Sendak book?
Do you prefer his early books, like Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen? Are you a fan of his illustrations for other authors, like Little Bear or Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present? Do you love his most recent book, Bumble-ardy?
Learn more about Sendak’s genre-breaking work, and the effect he had on almost everyone who came after him:
Making Mischief: A Maurice Sendak Appreciation
by Gregory Maguire
A magical visual tribute to the art of the legendary Maurice Sendak.
Where the Wild Things Are
2010 film based on the book by Maurice Sendak.
Max is a boy with an active imagination, who throws a fit when others don’t go along with what he wants. The day he runs away from home – dressed in his wolf costume – he runs toward a world in his imagination. This world, an ocean away, is inhabited by large wild beasts, including one with the same temperament as Max.
Angels and Wild Things: The Archetypal Poetics of Maurice Sendak
by John Cech
Examines the unique contribution of Maurice Sendak to the literature of childhood, considering the symbolic child who appears and develops in Sendak’s books – and remains at the center of his vision.
The Art of Maurice Sendak: 1980 to the Present
by Tony Kushner
Kushner traces Sendak’s celebrated art featured in children’s and adult books from 1980 to present and includes illustrations, sketches, book jackets, posters, CD covers, and theatrical production works.
Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art
Unique anthology of twenty three artists have shared the story of their work, their art and their lives as creative people and were among the first to exhibit their work at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
Fresh Air with Terry Gross: Writers Speak
Terry Gross’ interviews with 13 acclaimed writers, including Maurice Sendak.
Fresh Air interview also available on npr.com.
Want even more Sendak? Check out his January 2012 appearances on the Colbert Show (not for children):
