Maurice Sendak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maurice Sendak
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Sendak in 2009
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| Born | Maurice Bernard Sendak June 10, 1928 Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Died | May 8, 2012 (aged 83) Danbury, Connecticut, United States |
| Occupation | Artist, illustrator, writer |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Art Students League of New York |
| Period | 1944–2012 |
| Genre | Children's literature, picture books |
| Partner | Eugene Glynn (1957–2007; Glynn's death) |
| Relatives | Philip Sendak (father) Sadie Schindler (mother) Jack Sendak (older brother) Natalie Sendak (sister) |
Maurice Bernard Sendak (born June 10, 1928 – died May 8, 2012) was a famous American artist, writer, and illustrator of children's books. He is best known for his classic book Where the Wild Things Are, which was first published in 1963.
Maurice Sendak's parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland. His childhood was deeply affected by the loss of many family members during the Holocaust. Besides Where the Wild Things Are, Sendak also wrote and illustrated other popular books like In the Night Kitchen and Outside Over There. He also drew pictures for many books by other authors, including the Little Bear series by Else Holmelund Minarik.
Contents
Maurice Sendak's Life and Work
Early Life and Inspiration
Maurice Sendak was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Sadie and Philip Sendak, were Polish Jewish immigrants. Maurice had two older siblings, Natalie and Jack.
As a child, Maurice often had health problems and had to stay in bed. This is when he fell in love with books. He decided he wanted to be an illustrator after watching Walt Disney's movie Fantasia when he was twelve years old.
One of his first jobs was creating window displays for the toy store FAO Schwarz. His first published drawings appeared in a textbook in 1947. For many years in the 1950s, he illustrated children's books written by others before he started writing his own stories. His older brother, Jack Sendak, also became a children's author, and Maurice illustrated two of Jack's books.
Creating Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak became famous around the world after he wrote and illustrated Where the Wild Things Are. This book is about a boy named Max who gets sent to bed without supper. The book shows monsters with fangs, which worried some parents when it first came out because the characters looked a bit scary. Before this book, Sendak was mostly known for drawing pictures for the Little Bear books.
Sendak once shared a funny story about a fan:
A little boy sent me a charming card with a little drawing on it. I loved it. I answer all my children's letters – sometimes very hastily – but this one I lingered over. I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, 'Dear Jim: I loved your card.' Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said: 'Jim loved your card so much he ate it.' That to me was one of the highest compliments I've ever received. He didn't care that it was an original Maurice Sendak drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.
Years later, a survey of readers by School Library Journal named Where the Wild Things Are as a top picture book. Many people felt it was a very important book that changed how picture books were made.
Other Important Works
Sendak also illustrated Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories, the first children's book by Isaac Bashevis Singer. This book was published in 1966 and won an award. Sendak was very excited to work with Singer.
His 1981 book Outside Over There tells the story of a girl named Ida. She has to watch her baby sister, but she doesn't want to. Her sister is taken by goblins, and Ida goes on a magical adventure to save her. In the end, she rescues her sister and returns home, ready to take care of her.
Sendak also helped create the TV show Sesame Street. He even made an animated part for the show based on his book Bumble Ardy. He also wrote and designed other animated stories for the show.
In 1975, an animated TV show based on his work called Really Rosie was broadcast. It featured the voice of singer Carole King. Sendak also designed sets for many operas and ballets, including The Nutcracker and The Magic Flute.
In the 1990s, Sendak worked with playwright Tony Kushner to create a new English version of the children's opera Brundibár. The book they made together was named one of The New York Times Book Review's 10 Best Illustrated Books of 2003.
In 2004, Sendak narrated a musical story for children called Pincus and the Pig, which was a Klezmer version of Peter and the Wolf. He also drew the cover art for it. Sendak also created the children's TV show Seven Little Monsters.
Later Life and Death
Maurice Sendak passed away on May 8, 2012, at his home in Danbury, Connecticut. He was 83 years old. He died from a stroke.
Influences and Legacy
Maurice Sendak was influenced by many artists and thinkers, including William Blake, Herman Melville, and Mozart. He was also inspired by his father, Philip Sendak, and the movie Fantasia.
Sendak's work has influenced many modern writers and artists, such as Gregory Maguire, Jodi Picoult, and Stephen Colbert.
Images for kids
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A mural in Wicker Park, Chicago, that remembers Maurice Sendak.
See also
In Spanish: Maurice Sendak para niños
