Maurice Sendak, author of Where The Wild Things Are, died today after suffering a stroke Friday. He was 83. Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are was awarded a Caldecott Medal for best children’s book of 1964, and President Clinton awarded him the National Medal of the Arts in 1996. As well as his work as a writer and illustrator, Sendak was a television producer of series based on his work, such as Seven Little Monsters, George And Martha and Little Bear. Spike Jonze made Where The Wild Things Are into a feature film in 2009; Sendak was a producer on the film. The author was also the subject of the documentary Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait Of Maurice Sendak, directed by Jonze and Lance Bangs.
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A truly great artist. As he said on the Colbert Report regarding E-books:
“Fuck them is what I say, I hate those e-books. They can not be the future… they may well be… I will be dead, I won’t give a shit!”
RIP
“And now,” cried Max, “let the wild rumpus start!” – I hope you’re having a wonderful wild rumpus up there Maurice. Thank you for inspiring me. Rest in Peace.
I adored him not only for his artistic talent, but for being a bitchy old queen who told it like it was and didn’t take shit from anyone. He was uncompromising– as all artists should be.
What an amazing talent. I am just as enthralled by his stories and illustrations today, as I was during childhood.
Maurice, wherever you are, let the wild rumpus begin!
@Truman, great quote…
Sendak was one of a kind -
may he rest in peace in a wild rumpus!