Maurice Sendak, widely considered the most important children’s book artist of the 20th century, who 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, died on Tuesday in Danbury, Conn. He was 83 and lived in Ridgefield, Conn.
He was known in particular for more than a dozen picture books he wrote and illustrated himself, most famously “Where the Wild Things Are,” which was simultaneously genre-breaking and career-making when it was published by Harper & Row in 1963.
I wrote a post about him in the last couple of years and can't find it right now, but he had the most amazing life.
He was my favorite childhood author. RIP.
ReplyDeleteSo recapping the celeb-death news of today already:
ReplyDeleteFlinty-but-incredibly-talented-authors-we-will-all-miss: Maurice Sendak.
Celebrity-"exhaustion"-trainwrecks-who-won't-live-to-see-2013: Tracy Morgan, and maybe Lohan.
I loved this book, and read it to my boys (cranky pants didn't much care for it) but middle cherub loooooooved this book.
ReplyDeleteWhen the movie came out we couldn't wait to see it, finally watched it at home, and well.. I still tear up when I think of the movie. We both did for about a week after seeing it.
Anyhoo.. I know my boys will one day read this to their little ones.. I just hope that middle cherub has a special connection with it with his kids like I did with him.
*oldest cherub liked it, but didn't love it like middle cherub and I.. he was more a Richard Scary boy*
RIP. He had a beautiful drawing style, was very talented and now he can join his partner.
ReplyDeleteAs a book lover, I totally agree with Maurice that e-books aren't the future, especially for illustrated books. There will always be a place for print, and always a place for talented illustrators like him. Rest in peace, my friend!
Did anyone else hear the NPR interview he did a few years back (I think it was on Fresh Air)? He was openly bawling during the interview - and then I was bawling whilst driving - very heartfelt to say the least. I hope he will rest in peace - he was quite an artist.
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/04/17/060417fa_fact_zarin?currentPage=all
from my favorite site - longform.org
Hamster I agree! I have a kindle and I hate it! I prefer books or magazines.
ReplyDeleteAnd little ones will always prefer books with pictures always!
I first saw him on the colbert report and he was incredible. If you haven't seen that interview, do it now...
ReplyDeleteI loved Where The Wild Things Are (in Swedish) when I was a kid, but thought it was quite scary at the samr time. I still kind of get a little shudder whenever I see the book. I loved seeing the Wild Things walk and talk in the movie, but at the same time, I didn't need to know that they suffered from depression and didn't always get along *L*.
ReplyDeleteI remember loving his illustrations, especially in 'Chicken Soup With Rice'. The Grandma reminded me so much of my dad's house for some reason, I think because I cooked with him. Man, this is really tearing me up. I feel the way I did when Fred Rogers died - which was devastating regardless, but also on my birthday, so epically destroying. But what is it about important childhood figures that gets us so emotional?
ReplyDelete@Maja - agree with your feelings about the book and the movie. Max was flat-out emotionally disturbed in the movie. My kids and I were so sad when we left the theater. However, I believe that Sendak himself was very involved in the making of the movie; at least, he approved it. I really didn't think that the intent of the book was that dark, but obviously, I was wrong!
ReplyDeleteI prefer to think of Max as just a naughty little guy who shapes up before his dinner gets cold.
How sad
ReplyDeleteRIP
Thank you
Remember in the movie, his parents were divorced and he felt lost in the shuffle.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, he was alright and didn't feel so lost before.
Maybe I am seeing more metaphors into the movie, kidna dark and stormy (perhaps a pinch of pms thrown in)
I loved "Chicken Soup with Rice." RIP.
ReplyDeleteHe was a brilliant artist and author--what a great life he had. Thanks for posting this Enty--it's things like this that make this site a little different.
ReplyDeleteThis little story is awesome, but I can't copy the text. Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://flavorpill.tumblr.com/post/22653078114
"He loved it, he ate it."
I remember we performed Really Rosie at camp one year. Fond memories.
ReplyDeleteHere's Chicken Soup with Rice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syAtmgKqc9c
The images from the books gave me nightmares as a child and I never read his books. The movie trailers really creeped me out! #Sendakaphobia
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ReplyDeleteA truly gifted wonderful man, RIP Mr. Sendak, and thank you.
ReplyDeleteHe was a silly old curmudgeon who wrote a truly inspired children's book and spent the rest of his life being embarrassed about being a mere "children's book" writer. Thanks for the nightmares.
ReplyDeleteHis Colbert interview is priceless! You should watch it if you haven't yet. I'm sorry he's gone.
ReplyDeleteI read this story as a kid and loved the drawings and fantasy of just running to a magic land for a night of mayhem. It never dawned on me once it would be considred too scary for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm a 70's child maybe the generation makes a difference. But I must of read it 1000x as a child.
RIP Maurice.
"Outside Over There," "I Saw Esau," the "Little Bear," series...classics.
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ReplyDelete"oh, please don't go, we'll eat you, we love you so!"- rip to one of the best and most subversive children's authors ever
ReplyDeleteWhere the Wild Things Are was one of a few books my poor mom/sister had to read me on repeat for quite awhile. Loved it so much.
ReplyDelete@Frufra - ITA with you about the movie vs. book. I just saw the movie a few weeks ago. Did not like Max's character.