Maurice Sendak, Children’s Author Who Upended Tradition, Dies at 83

[Burma Jones]

Source: NY Times

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.

The cause was complications from a recent stroke, said Michael di Capua, his longtime editor.

Roundly praised, intermittently censored and occasionally eaten, Mr. Sendak’s books were essential ingredients of childhood for the generation born after 1960 or thereabouts, and in turn for their children. 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.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/books/maurice-sendak-childrens-author-dies-at-83.html?hp

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Farewell.....

[xchrom]

1. my Peace be with his family and friends. nt

[mainer]

2. A librarian told me Sendak's books were the most frequently challenged

Adults objected to WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE because the little boy character is naked! It was the book my sons loved the best, and we read it together almost every night for a year.

[sufrommich]

3. This makes me sad. If you've never read an interview

with Sendak, read one today,he was hilarious.

[frylock]

21. check out the videos from his interview with stephen colbert..

they are AWESOME!

[KT2000]

25. Yes - terrific interviews

He got Colbert and had a good time.

[progressoid]

28. I hope Colbert does a memoriam of some sort tonight.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/406902/january-25-2012/grim-colberty-tales-with-maurice-sendak-pt--2

[azlatina]

4. He enriched a lot of people's lives...

I loved is interview with Stephen Colbert.

[AnneD]

19. That was...

classic. Best interview I saw in a long time.

[frazzled]

5. There won't be another like him

Really and truly a genius, who changed the world of children's literature and made our lives so much richer. We read all his books to our children, for years, and we never tired of them. My personal favorite (and really much to acerbic for children) was Higglety Pigglety Pop!

Dear Mr. Sendak: I hope, like Jenny, you've resolved the issue of whether "there must be more to life than this."

[Demonaut]

6. Colbert recently did an interview him

I'm sure he'll mention it tonight

RIP Maurice

[nolabear]

7. Oh, I am truly sad! He was a brilliant, brilliant man.

Of course I know his work from reading it to my sons a million times. I actually liked Mickey in the Night Kitchen best, for some strange reason. But Seattle does The Nutcracker every year with his phenomenal sets, and the dream state he induces with his work is like that of no one else.

I do hope he's one of the immortals whose books are loved for as long as children (and adults) love a wild rumpus.

Rest in Peace. I'll miss you.

[AlbertCat]

8. Oh no....

What a loss.

I used to design costumes for a little touring group in NC that did shows based on books. We did a book by NC author Randall Jarrell, The Bat-poet 1st published in 1964, I think. Anyway it's illustrated by Sendak, but I imagine it was an early assignment. The illustrations have none of that quality you find in "Where the Wild Things Are" but are pen and ink drawings, very realistic.




I found that interesting... how his style changed once he got going and came into his own.

Also, there is a film of Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker designed (and worked out with the choreographer) by Sendak. Amazingly beautiful, and different from your average Nutcracker. Well worth seeing.



Anyway.... just thought I'd mention these not so known contributions by the great artist.

[YankeyMCC]

9. So thankful for what he gave to me through his books

peace to him and his loved ones - and that may include a couple generations of people all around the world at least.

[JitterbugPerfume]

10. He was smart and funny

his apperance on The Colbert Report was so cool.

[duhneece]

11. I have a philodendron tacked to my ceiling, creating my own "where the wild things are" room

The plant looks like it is taking over the room's ceiling. I always wanted a room that looks like the bedroom of the boy, turning wild. I read this book to both my kids too many times to count. Great author.

[AngryOldDem]

12. My kids had both paperback and hardbound books of "Where The Wild Things Are"

Both were well-loved and well-read to tatters.

RIP, Mr. Sendak.

[allan01]

13. re:Maurice Sendak, Children’s Author Who Upended Tradition, Dies at 83

twas disney and others who sanitized these fairytales . brothers grimm who in the 1800s collected the stories , the stories were around for a long time before bothers grim. howver brothers grimm didnt sanitize the stories . rest in peace mr . sendak. condolances to family and friends.

[Skinner]

14. Oh no!

[66 dmhlt]

15. Maurice Sendak: “There must be more to life than having everything.”

“And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!”
― Maurice Sendak
from "Where the Wild Things Are"

[msanthrope]

16. In the Night Kitchen was my favorite book....RIP, Mr. Sendak.

A part of my childhood just went....

[uppityperson]

23. I still think "Sipping once, sipping twice..." when making chicken soup

with rice.

In The Night Kitchen was quite fun also.

[otohara]

17. Let The Wild Rumpus Start - RIP Mr. Sendek

Love and Peace - thank you

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. One of my favorites

RIP Maurice. May you now romp with wild things.

[RainDog]

20. thank you, Maurice Sendak, for your work! n/t

[xxqqqzme]

22. This will sadden both my children.

His books were on regular bedtime reading rotation in our house.

As mentioned else where on this thread, the interview w/ Colbert was a real treat to watch.

[beac]

24. So sad. What a loss.

Here are the links to the Colbert interview:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/406796/january-24-2012/grim-colberty-tales-with-maurice-sendak-pt--1

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/406902/january-25-2012/grim-colberty-tales-with-maurice-sendak-pt--2

RIP (Rumpus in Perpetuity), Mr Sendak.

[Solly Mack]

26. RIP

[leveymg]

27. Where the wild things go, farewell, Maurice.

And thanks for two generations of great bed time books.

[DesertRat]

29. “Oh, please don't go—we'll eat you up—we love you so!”

R.I.P. Maurice Sendak

[Electric Monk]

30. R.I.P.