WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE author and illustrator Maurice Sendak passed away early Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from a stroke. Sendak was 83 when he died.
Sendak was mostly famous for his quirky and unconventional approach to children’s stories. He began writing books in 1957 and received the international Hans Christian Andersen medal for illustration in 1970.
During his career, Sendak won the prestigious Caldecott Medal for the best children’s book in 1964 with WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. The book has since become a short film and a live-action, full feature movie.
President Bill Clinton also awarded Sendak the National Medal of the Arts in 1996 for his eclectic and impressive portfolio of work.
“I write books that seem more suitable for children, and that’s OK with me. They are a better audience and tougher critics. Kids tell you what they think, not what they think they should think.” Sendak said in an interview with the Associated Press in 2003.
RIP, Maurice Sendak! WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE will always remain a favourite of ours.