Tuesday, May 8, 2012

A Farewell To Maurice Sendak

I was saddened this morning to hear that Maurice Sendak has passed away. This wonderfully talented man wrote and illustrated some of the greatest children's books of all time - including those below:




He is probably best known for the two books "Where The Wild Things Are" and "In The Night Kitchen", but the little "Nutshell Library" books are my favorites. I have told you before about my obsession with "Chicken Soup with Rice".
I believe that his books should be a part of every child's life. And I am grateful that he left us the legacy of his fabulous works.
We will miss you, Mr. Sendak. And I thank you for being you.

7 comments:

holli said...

I love this post and agree with every word you said. I grew up with those books and my Nutshell Libraries were so worn out. I took them evrywhere with me when i was younger. Such a sad thing of his passing.
htttp://hollishootsandhollers.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

My favorite is In the Night Kitchen--I remember my mom reading it to me when I was young, and when I worked at a bookstore before I even had children I bought a copy to tuck away. Now I read that one to my kids and it's one of their favorites! I also remember Chicken Soup with Rice, and when I was in NYC a few years ago I bought a book called How Little Lori Visited Times Square. I'm thankful Mr. Sendak shared his talent with the world!

Jill said...

My kids loved "Where the Wild Things Are" - it's packed away with all their books - it is a great children's book!

farmlady said...

I did not hear about this. How sad.
He brought so many children a wonderful place to live and dream in... and the world will be less for his passing.

Tina Dawn said...

Ah, great post sis! I know you have always loved his books. I was a little old to enjoy them as a child but appreciated them for my son. Love T

yosemite faith said...

stephen colbert had done an interview with him within the last year or so - he replayed parts of it last night. charlie rose on cbs this morning did a nice tribute to him as well.

Phyl D said...

I have to second Holli's sentiments...thankfully, I still have my little Nutshell Library bought in the 1960s and was just recently looking through it and reminiscing...how sad to think that he is now gone.

There's a wonderful book by Leonard Marcus called "Dear Genius" which I highly recommend. It's about Sendak's editor, Ursula Nordstrom of Harper Books (later Harper & Row) who helped him develop his talents along with many other children's book writers and illustrators of the 1940s - 1970s. One of the things I learned from that book was that Sendak originally worked in the window display department for the F.A.O. Schwarz toy store in NYC in 1950 when he was discovered and introduced to Nordstrom.