The New York Times reports that Maurice Sendak, legendary author of children's stories including Where the Wild Things Are, died this morning at the age of 83.
The insight that Sendak expressed in his work was fresh and revolutionary:
“Grown-ups desperately need to feel safe, and then they project onto the kids. But what none of us seem to realize is how smart kids are." Maurice Sendak
I think the genre of Children's Literature was vastly enriched by Maurice Sendak, but I could not say this any better than his friend and editor, Ursula Nordstrom:
“You may not be Tolstoy,” Ms. Nordstrom once wrote to Mr. Sendak after he expressed self-doubt, “but Tolstoy wasn’t Sendak, either. You have a vast and beautiful genius.” Ursula Nordstrom, Harper & Row.
Stephen Colbert interviewed Maurice Sendak for his program The Colbert Report. The interview was aired in two parts. You can view the first part here. Below, you will find the second part. Colbert is his usual hilarious deadpan self, but Sendak will charm you with his sincerity, his humor and his ability to more than match Colbert for wit and timing.
Do stick it out till the end - Maurice Sendak has the last word and he is marvelous (sorry ebook aficionados!).
RIP Mr. Sendak. The world of Children's Books has lost a shining star.
